Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-11-18
JAPAN THINKS
TERMS UNFAIR
Nippon Feels Ratio Of Warships
Not High Enough Under
Hughes Proposal
SEEKS BETTER TERMS
French and Italian Naval Experts, At.
ter an Intensive Study Think
Their Navy Should Be Increased
Rather Than Reduced.

Rather Than Reduced.
u Washington feels that her
ratio Of warship tonnage is not high
enough under the American proposals,
it was said here by members of the
Japanese delegation. -
Although Japan Joined with Great
Britain, France and Italy in formally
accepting in principle and spirit the
Hughes program, it was disclosed Of
ficially that Japan wants feet
greater than 60 per cent as compared
to the United States and Great Britain,
which the original proposal would al
low her. 5. ~
Suggestion Not Clear.
During Admiral Baron Kato's speech
at the plenary session Of the arma-
ment conference, his, statement that
Japan would suggest some modifica-
lions in the tonnage basis for replace
ment caused some speculation as to
whether it referred to regulating the
capacity Of shiDyards so chat new war
ships could be built regularly or
whether it meant that Japan favored a
higher ratio of tonnage compared with
the United States and Great Britain.
The statement from the Japanese
delegation clears up this point, and
shows that Japan will later put forth
the factors which, lead her to believe
that some increase is desired was not
explained, but emphasis was laid on
the special conditions surrounding
Japan as an insular power in need Of
an adequate defensive fleet. Prac-
tical considerations are said to be be-
hind the attitude of Japan, whose rep
resentatives reiterated that she has
no ambition whatsoever to equal the
navy of England or the United States.
Science a Factor.
The probable Development Of science
increasing the mobilization power of a
fleet to distant Waters in an offensive,
the presence of naval bases near the
shores of Japan, and the augmented
mobilization power of an adversary's
fleet when reduced in units all enter
into the Japanese mind as indicating
the wisdom of higher rate than to
10. '-.. ...
The suggested increase will probab-
ly affect all classes including subma-
rines. The Japanese expressed conf
dence that the committee of experts
would understand their case and that
the ratio adjustment would not in any
way materially affect Japan's blanket
acceptance Of the American proposal.
French and Italian navy experts,
making an intensive study of how
limitations to be imposed on the Uni
ted States, Great Britain and Japan
would affect them, come to the con-
clusion that their naval forces should
be increased rather than reduced.
Italy Wants Greater Tonnage. =
The Italian viewpoint, as it prevails
among their experts, is that Italy
should be permitted to have a navy
as large as that Of France, and in any
event on a ratio of eight to ten. The
naval question as. it affects Italy and
France is not now under discussion.
having been reserved by the confer
ence until the status of the United
States, Great Britain and Japan. can
be disposed of.
\ Experts of both countries point out
that during the world war Italy and
France devoted themselves almost en-
tirely to strengthening their armies
and did little for their navies.
Want Argument With France.
Among the Italians there is q strong
party urging complete agreement
with France to relieve both countries
of a large part Of their military bur
dens. It is pointed out that the two
fleets united would dominate the Me.
diterranean, while the combined ar
mics might be relied upon to face any
attack upon them.
There is also some expression of
opinion that efficacious measures
might be considered to look to the
limitation of armament Of the Balkan
states as we'll as Poland on the
ground that complications would thus
be- avoided. = ~ 7*-'