The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-01-18
japanese Statesman Says
United States Would
Disarm as Matter of
Business
JAP NAVY ALREADY
TO MINIMUM, HE SAYS
lohlO GOVERNMENTS POLICY IN
SIBERIA MAY RESULT IN
PROLONGED WRANGLE
WITH UNITED STATES


Toxic, Jan. 1S.-Amercan propos-
ais that Japan, Great Britain and the
United States. take a naval holiday
is eloquent proof that despite the fab
ulous riches Of America, she wishes
to curtail national expenditures, and
therefore the proposals are intended
moro to help America than to con-
tribute to the peace Of the world. said
Marquis shigcnob Okuma, former
Japanese premier, in an interview
| here today. lie asserted America
should first consult Great Britain
relative to tho suggested suspension
OF naval program.
only when an Amcrican-Britirh
\ agreement has been reached" he al
lcd, "can Japan be in a position .
| consider this proposition. Japan's
naval program is fixed at the mini
mum neceggary for national defense"
Charges that it appears the AM
crican government Is giving the Incl.
| dent arising out of the death OF
Naval Lieut.. Langdon at v1adivostolz
undue Importance are made By the
Kokumin shimbun.
IF, as believed" tho newspaper
says. America goes as far rs TO
bring up Japan's troops. Il is likely
fresh cause for discussion will arise
between the two governments. More
| over. such question would cause
a dispute between the japanese for
elgn office and military authorities
here
Surprise at what II terms the "tim-
idity of the government" Is expressed
by the Hochi Shimbun, which adds:
"The government is doing every
thing TO apologize to America, when,
according 10 information reaching Ja-
pan, no fault wns found in the actions
Of the sentry, who shot Lieut.. Lang
don. Apparently the government has
two stories-one for American con-
sumption and the other for the Japa-
nese"
The Yamato Shimbun argues the
sentry was merely performing his
duty and asserts there is no reason
for the death Of an officer in n for
eign country being regarded as
serious international incident
Press advices from Vladivostok de-
clare Lieut.. Langdon walked to the
cruiser Albany. saluted the gangway
guard, and collapsed before making
any statement Confirmation that the
lieutenants Russian wife shot and
killed herself the day following the
death of her husband. has been re-
ccived in dispatches to newspapers
here.
| Washington. Jan. lin his state
ment, L.angdon said he had been
fired upon by the sentry after he
had been halted and had turned 10
walk away and before he himself
drew his revolver. The original story
of the sentry was that the American
officer had fired the first shot.
Admiral Glcaves' message to the
navy department today said:
REPORT Of Japanese court OF In
quiry has been received by Albany.
Court recommends trial by court mar
| tlal for japanese sentry who shot
rancdon. The sentry so changed his
testimony during the court OF in
quiry, that his testimony and Lang
dons nntc-mortem statement pracil-
cally coincide"
Admiral Gloaves also forwarded to
the department the following dispatch
from Captain L. c. Richardson, com.
manding officer OF the Albany:
Tomorrow, afternoon. General Oi,
will call officially to deliver radio
which in substance will be rs fol-
| lows.
"To Admiral Glcaves: I wish to ex-
press my deep regret and condolences
at the death OF Lieut.. Langdon. q.
s. n, which was caused by Jara-
nese sentry. In spirit Of fairness
and good will. will make every
effort TO arrive at n satisfactory re-
suit Of the affair and make an open
investigation"
General OF IS the Japanese COM
mandant at Vladlvostok.