Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1921-12-15
Y. s. Opinion Can Hardly Recon-
Gle Nippon Claims to Higher
Than $50 Fleet Ratio. Il
NOT MUCH TO I. PROTECT { Il J;
Japan's Navy opeartes a. Single Unit
Having But One sea to Protect
While England Must Guard Sev.s n
en- and America Two.

WashtngtOn-Americ naval Opin-
ion finds It difficult to reconcile Jap.
anese claims to a higher feet ratio than
the American 5.5-3 proposal on the
basis Of Japan's needs for her own de-
Tense, when the additional tonnage
sought by japan is all in offensive, not
defensive ships. y
Discussion has been confined largely
to capital ships, battleships and battle
cruisers, regarded in all navies as pure
~ offensive weapons. This is true
particularly ofSthe cruisers with long
cruising radius to permit operations
far from home waters. ],
Alrplane Carries Offensive.
The Japanese experts brought up in
discussions among the experts, how.
ever, the question Of additional air.
plane carriers for Japan: It has been
indicated in Japanese circles that Ja-
pan besides equal tonnage with Great
Britain and the United States In car
riers. Y, I, u,
American officers assert that air
planes themselves might be classed as
defensive weapons as long as no means
was provided to carry them TO distant
waters. But when airplane carriers
are provided the aircraft become 20.
tential weapons Of offense for bonn
bardment Of enemy cities and fortiflca-
tons. :s ;l .s 81 ..ss33 & q
Another aspect Of the airplane car
rier problem lies in the American pol
icy providing for division OF her feet
for operations In two far separated
seas, the Atlantic and Pacific. y That
makes necessary, American officers
argue, airplane carriers for use with
each feet, Great Britain has ever Wild
or responsibilities In all the seven
seas. Britain's national life depends
on keeping the seas open to her trade
ships and her equipment In aircraft
and carriers must be equal to that Of
any other power. Y, d w .s.tiE. sy
Japan Has Little to Protect.
Japan, In the American view, is not
similarly situated. Her navy operates
practically for defensive purposes, as
q single unit. The sea OF Japan,
which lies between Japan and Korea
Is susceptible OF such defay.se that it
would be almost Impossible of access
by an enemy feet in war time giving
Japan access to Asia raw materials
and other resources.
For these reasons It is regarded Ger
tain the American conference delega-
ton will not be disposed to accept the
Japan proposal OF equal tonnage in airs
plane carrier, for Japan.
. England Big Factor.
Hope for an early settlement Of the
dispute arising from Japan's request
for an increase from so to 20 per cent
in the capital tonnage allotted her sun.
der the American limitation plan CEN
tered in the eforts Of Great Britain
to bring the Japanese views into har-
mony with those Of the United States.
While the preci.e manner Il which
Great Britain has undertaken to use
her influence N solving the naval ratio,
problem was not known, It was indi.
Gated that, az an ally Of Japan and
having on the other hand accepted III
principle the basic 6.5-3 ratio Of the
American proposal, she had found a
double interest In the ultimate success
of the negotiations. 81 ss 19i2 d
COME. with Toxic. A 81
The situation was expected to re.
main at . status quo while the Japan.
ese delegates in, the light Of this new
development conferred further On the
question with Toxic, where It Is under.
stood to hA under liberation NV fhA