The New York herald., 1921-02-20
JAPAN MUST BUILD
Big NAVY, HE SAYS
Or.Iyenaga, Regarded as Toxic
Spokesman, Explains Views
of His Government.

Vi Ills uONCIulliCut.
DR.. T. Iyenaga. director of the East
and West news bureau, whose utter
ances have so often been regarded as
coming from the Japanese Government.
placed himself beside Senator Borah
and other statesmen who consider that
Japan, Great Britain and this country
should set an example to the world by
suspending their programmes of naval
construction. in a speech illuminating
Japan's position on the question.
DR.. Iyenaga spoke at a conference Of
the Council on Foreign Relations. at
the Hotel Astor. after J. A. M. de San
chez of the French High Commission.
and Frederick II. Allen, had spoken of
the naval necessities of France and
Great Britain. He declared. in effect.
that the single reason Japan was at
work upon a large navy was in order
that she might keep somewhat apace
of the 1.-TWO nations with the greatest
navies," and that the initiative for cur
failing naval armament must come from
the "chief offender" Japan, he insisted,
was in no position to initiate such a
move.
Danger From Two Nations.
"The question of limiting naval arma-
ment," he said. Certainly would be a
feasible proposition If the Powers con-
cerned approach it in earnest and good
faith. Japan's naval programme was
formulated with a view to assuring the
defence of the island empire. to safe
guarding the vital COMMUNICATIONS with
it's territories across the seas. and TO
protecting it's mercantile feet. This may
sound a platitude. for 1t is but a truism
which. every other naval power will in
sist, is the principle governing its own
naval policy Manifestl-, therefore,
more plain talking is demanded. AS the
case stands to-day there are only two
navies in the world which may en-
danger, in caIe of conflict, Japan's
safety and it's oversee communications.
"It Is, then, clearly to provide against
the possible dangers feare1 from the ac-
tivities of these navies vhat Japan is
spending vast sums of money for her
naval equipment. To spend almost half
Of her entire revenue for armament, in
Guiding the military and navai-more
than ten times the expenditure allotted
for the important item of education
is in itself an absurd, If not tragic, act.
act becomes almost comic when we con-
slider that one OF these great naval pow
ers is Japan's ally. and the other her
best friend.
Japan might in turn well inquire of
her friends what is the purpose of main
tanning such vast navies and, above ALL
Of expanding them. as America is doing.
on a gigantic scale. Americas answer
would doubtless be that this expansion IL
not at all intended to intimidate Japan
but to have a navy at least equal to that
of any other Power
Raps Glamour OF U. s.
'Tt is not within my province to say
what the distinguished representatives OF
other countries will say on behalf of
their own nations. ] am rather tempted
to give here a homely illustration. Fish
ermen, to whom take pride in belong
ing during the summer. have among
themselves no decorum for neat dress.
Sweaters and overalls are all that Is re-
quired of me in keeping their company.
In the family OF nations. however. wnen
Uncle Sam bedecks himself with all the
glorious garments which his enormous
wealth could buy and which the congre So
OF Fifth avenue tailors could devise and
cut out in the most approved fashion. il
haust every possible means for the pro-
vision of decent apparel so as TO make
respectable appearance in the comfy
OF nations.
According to the present naval pro-
gramme japan will have. by the end of
March. 1923, eight battleships and eight
battle cruisers. all under eight years Of
age. with the necessary auxiliaries.
This will in effect be the total fleet Of
serviceable age that Japan will then
have.
Compare this with the total fleet in
1928 OF Great Britain or America. AMI
you will have n broad. simple and i'm
disputable fact, from which there can
be no mistaken inference There can be
absolutely no idea OF offence in such
a programme.
The question OF competitive naval
armament simply resolves itself 10 the
question OF proportion. Of ratio between
the several navies. The ratio of 10000
tons OF American navy to 10000 tons Of
Japanese navy. now maintained. will
not be much disturbed In 1926, after two
Powers have expended for the construc.
tion OF new ships colossal sums OF
money which both countries-even
America, I bclieve--can III afford.
II might conclude my remarks by
saying That the initiative for curtaii-
| ing naval armament must come from tho
chief offender who has inaugurated tho
extravagant fashion. The chief reason
tho Japanese Diet voted down the resolu-
hon introduced by MIR. Ozski lies in the
fact that Japan Is in no position tc
| initiate such move.
And that the ratio OF naval equipment
! In accordance with the needs Of the re-
spective countries as dictated by geo
graphical and other considerations. how
ever difficult may be tho task. must bs
agreed upon by tho three naval Powers
! otherwise the nations who are the ma in
stay Of modern civilization arc clearly
heading toward bankruptcy, IL not still
i worse consequences"