Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-29


approaching its first great decision.
1t was announced tonight by Vice
Admiral Kato, chief Japanese naval
expert, that Japan seeks 20 per cent
naval ration. At the same time it was
announced with equal authority that
the American delegation stood firmly
on Secretary Hughes 1888" ratio
proposal, which means a GO per cent
status for Japan. The conference ul-
timately must reconcile these two
views or accept one or the other to
reach agreement on naval limitations
Vice Admiral kato said the 70 pei
cent. ratio was the minimum neces-
sary for Japanese security.
The American view is that so pei
cent. for the Japanese is the maxi
mum naval strength that could be &C.
ties in the Pacific.
Tomorrow the naval experts Of the
FIVE powers will hold their first meeting
in nearly week. They have conclud.
ed their inter-group discussion of TIE
American plan so far as it's ma :or fac
tors are concerned. Developments to.
day and tonight indicated that they
would return the matter to the con.
terence delegates without recommended.
lions for important notifications.
The American experts are satisfied
that the original estimates on nava
strength on which the Hughes plan
was based were correct. What form
the committee report may take is no
clear Presumably the British Off
view in many respects. The attitude
of French and Italian experts has no
been formally disclosed.
Yet there was some indication thai
ACTION by the committee exports Il
sustain the American estimate of ia
val facts and figures was expected
Whether the Japanese experts would
submit minority views in that cas-
was not known.
In any event, It seems likely that
the scene aof action will be transfer
red within the wee kfrom the experts
to the committee room, where the
delegates of the five powers must
weight questions Of policies as vel
as of facts. Presumably, the Japan
csc group is prepared to continue its
argument there for '10-1O-7" fleet
! ratio instead of the American "5-5-3'
proposal. To what extent japanese
lnslstcnce may be carried in commit
tee or later before the conference it.
! self is still to be disclosed.
| =
ment, declared that the seventy pei
cent. ratio was "the minimum OF
strength required" for Japan's secur-
| ity. He added to this comment:
people of all countries must be in
full agreement Gas TO limitation OF
| armamcnts). Otherwise. even though
an agreement may be made, it might
create an unpleasant feeling and de
feat its purpose"
| For competent American naval op-
Grafton, it may be said with author
ity although high officers cannot be
quoted directly that the 1913" pro-
poSal is viewed as the absolute max
+ imum of concession to Japan in view
of American interests and liabilities
i'll the Pacific. Naval opinion here
holds that actual security would re-
quire q ten five" ratio as against
Japan owing to distances, probable
causes Of conflict and similar mat
tiers.
For that reason, the American
five five three" plan is viewed as
not only written assurance of ut
ter lack of any American purpose in
the Pacific inimical to legitimate Ja-
panese interests. but as an assump-
ton Of a similar friendly attitude on
the part of Japan. On no other
theory, to naval officers. would the
proposal be warranted, backed as it
is by the offer to scrap or discontinue
more than twice the amount of new
tonnage, Japan is aked to abandon.
Reference by Vice Admiral kato to
Japan's limited steel output and
shipbuilding facilities as warranting
her desire 70 IA 70 per cent. fleet
status recalled the original view TAX
en- of Secretary Hughes 1913" pro-
posal.
That ratio, it is asserted goes fal
beyond any attempt at the almost i'm
possible task of setting down in fig
ures estimates of naval strength rela-
lively. 1t is based on the whole stu
alton of the two powers chiefly con.
cerncd. 1t includes some allowance
for American shipbuilding resources
in the estimate of naval strength rela-
lively. 1t is based on the whole stu
alton of the two powers chiefly con-
cerned. 1t includes some allowance
for American shipbuilding resources
in the estimate of the relative strength
at sea. officers say. for that as well
as each battleship now afloat has it:
place in fixing a fair naval proportion
not subject to suspicion as cloakine
hostile designs.
In other words, these officers con-
tend, the United States could builG
and maintain against Japan on n two
to one or even q three to one scale
if it desired. If it is to abandon that
advantage, they added. to end nava
competition. the sacrifice must be me-
to some slight extent at least in The
fleet ratio to be fixed.
The proposals of the French delega.