Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-29
DECLARES EMPIRE
UNABLE TO REDUCE
WARSIIIPS FURTHER

ieEc ana chief naval adviser IN tbo
japanese delegation to the WASHING
ton conference, said to tn. Asa
c'ated l'rcss tonight in an Interview
Nice-Ad'niral kato, who is re-.
sarded as the leading Japanese an
'hority on naval strategy, declared
that the main issue for the conf.r
"hce on Limitation OF armament was
the reduction OF armament bur-
dens.
Hopes United States VIII Accent.
Japan accepts this issue whole
hcartedly." he continued, and is
quite prepared to scrap capital ships
under construction and old battle
ships. The naval ratio is n question
"t grave concern To the security of
| tue nations. hope the United
states viii accept the 20 per cent for
Japan, which is the minimum of
strength required for her security"
The vice admiral remarked ,bn.
he agreement 10 limit ornaments
must he accomplished by n thorough
understanding of all those par,icipat-
ing.
People OF all countries" he said
must he in full agreement. other
/
u" made, IL might create an unpleas
mt ieeiinG ard defeat its purpose.
To meet the desires of the japanese
'topie, as TO their national defense,
believe that 40 per cent ratio as
compared with the United States and
treat Britain is necessary
Main Issue Ia Relieve burdens.
The main issue in the limitation
"f armament. as | have stated above.
| is TO relieve the burdens Of the ma
lions. Japan has shown her hearty
accord to the idea and has agreed to
| The wholesale scrapping of capital
ships under construction as well AS
old ships. This practically means
that the great purpose of the CON
ference has been attained. because IL
| Indicates that in the future there will
! come about huge reductions in naval
expenditure There is another point
! To which wouId like to call your
attention. When you think about the
sacrifice made by the nations repre-
scented ~ this conference IL seems
clear that the degree Of sacrifice IL
very great for Japan mean that
II viii lac felt more kccnly hy us than
~ the United states. because our in
"nstrial and '->hipbuiidinS power cam
nor u" compared 10 that OF America
Each should Fix Own ASpiratious
men II comes I" national aspira
tions and the general security nf the
state, believe IL best for the coun-
Try concerned to decide what those
national aspirations are and what
security Is needed To safeguard them.
me preamble 10 the American pro-
posais specifically SAYS that the
United states believes that IN. plan
later presented safeguards the in
'cfests OF all concerned. Let me en-
phasize again that In order to safe
guard the interests OF the Japanese
empire 30 per cent is necessary If
'he ratio OF 20 per cent is accorded
10 Japan this does not mean the pur-
pose OF Inc conference is defeated be-
cause. as ] have pointed out before
'he main purpose OF the present meet
'hr IN Washington IL Limitation Of
armamcnts The relatively OF tonnage
is not the principal issue"
Capacity Of japan Limited.
IN conclusion. Nicc-Admiral Kato
c"h'enaed that the capacity OF Japan
, 10 replace her warshjps was in
! nhNeiN less than that OF the United
states. Japan ne said. wonld he
aulle unable, with her present shin.
building and industrial strength. and
taking into account the paUcitv OF
rcr raw material NOR" cspcciai,y
steel. 70 engage successfully i'm COM
p.Niion as To IA. replacement or
shire ~
FOR instance" h. said. 40 Won
re"ii%" that the ycasly outpu, az
steel IN Japan IS only St.. 900 tnns
whereas IN the United states INC
, yearly output !H almos; ~ QUO Goa
: 'hd"r th-s" circumstances II, f..
! Gniir IMPOSSIBLE for Japan "a ihtnI,
: OF entering Into any rae. win n,,,.
s,r"hs industrial power Ia cas-. nnv
!. n'hrnity should unhappuy arise in
= 'h' iUtur' u would aimee, ho NO.
' Yer L" abolish all capital shius en-.
IfeiE. II would certainly h. ,ntrr,
!" Japan. when. IN ASKING fnr Seven
c fhips i" every ten Of the n,b., rr.,,
industrial powers, Is merely ,,u,.
= ING iof'h "a request that scr,nv =,
= me 10 be cmincn;ly fair and rc,s,r
A apie' hased, as /, is, upon an az ~.
!. questions which enter into IN, mat