The New York herald., 1921-08-28
JAPAN SPEEDING Up
NAVAL PROGRAMME
Raising the Embargo on
Private Manufacture of
War Material.
DOUBLES HER CAPACITY
Opinion Divided on Arma-
ment Question, Many Sus-
pecting U. s. Good Faith.
FAR EAST TOPICS CLOSED
Steps Taken to Revive Popular
Enthusiasm for a Big
Navy.
DOUBLES HER CAPACITY
FAR EAST TOPICS CLOSED

Special Correspondence 70 TIE New YORK
HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
London, Aug. II.
According to positive information
which has reached THE New YORK
HERALD, the japanese Government. in
order to increase the sources of sup
ply for war material, is raising the
embargo which up to now has rested
on the manufacture of such material
by private firms, save under Govern
ment license. A number of factories
have recently been granted permis-
sion to make machine guns. military
small arms, armored cars and naval
and army aircraft. The Sampin Sho-
kai of Osaka is turning out large guam
titles of ammunition and the Toxic
Gas and Electric Company has opened
a big powder plant and Is building
shops for the manufacture of small
arms and war airplanes.
The Osaka firms Kosaku-sho and
Kisa Kaisha are both making machine
guns of an experimental type. The
Government is particularly encourag
ing the manufacture Of these latter
weapons, as a very large number of
them are required to complete the
War Department programme passed
in 1917. which authorized a strength
OF fifteen machine guns per infantry
battalion. Large contracts have been
placed by the army and navy authori-
ties for air bombs and hand grenades.
Naval equipment is also being pro-
duced by private industry. Up to a few
years ago Japan had to buy all her tor
pedoes abroad. being unable to make
them herself. Nowadays her state ar
senals and the private factories produce
between them from 500 TO 1000 torpe-
does every year The manufacture of
heavy naval guns, hitherto built only at
the Kure dockyard and the Muroran
Iron Works. will shortly be undertaken
by two private firms, and the navy Is
already drawing a portion OF its rapid
fire guns from private industry. II is
estimated on good authority that Japan's
capacity for manufacturing war mate
'ial of every description has increased
by 100 per cent. within the last four
years.
1t Is evident from news which has
reached well informed quarters in Lon
don that Japanese opinion on the arma-
ment question is sharply divided. Even
the well drilled Japanese press, which
usually chants in unison when dealing
with important questions of foreign poll
icy seems for once to have got out OF
hand, for while some journals mildly
applaud America for giving the world
x4x.f1
OF her good faith, and suggest that the
real purpose of the conference is to
bring Japan into a position where she
Will either have to accept American die
tation in regard to Far Eastern affairs.
or find herself completely isolated and
friendless.
/ The uress as n whole declares that
practically all the Far Eastern ques-
4 tions which America wishes TO discuss
have long since been closed, and cannot
be reopened Among these they include
4 Japan's policy in Manchuria and in
\ China generally, her position in Shan
tung. and the status of the nandated
islands north OF the equator. including
Yap. Since the American invitation was
received in Toxic there have been sew
eral meetings OF the Elder statesmen,
whose influence on Japanese policy Is all
/ but dominant. One OF their number. the
Marquis Olxuma, has declared himself
unalterably opposed to any modification
OF the naval programme
Naval Propaganda.
In the meantime steps are being taken
10 revive that popular enthusiasm for
the navy which has tended to decline
under the crushing burden OF taxation
/ A largely attended meeting OF the I'm
perjal Marine AssociatIon--a society
formed many years ago 10 foster
Japan's naval and shipping interests
was held in Toxic last month. under the
presidency Of Admiral Prince Higashi-
Fushimi, a member Of the imperial
\ family. At this meeting Il was decided
TO organize the naval branch on an
4 Independent footing, to be known as the
I Kaibo kyokai. or Naval Defence As
ISOLATION" II has been entrusted with
the task OF arousing the people on the
subject of naval defence and OF edu-
eating them in the belief that the very
existence or Japan depends upon the
/ possession OF a great navy.
I TO help this work along a sum or
/ 1000 900 ven has been allotted % the
new association. IL IS organizing lee
I lures and moving picture displays all
over the country and speakers are even
! being despatched TO remote agricultural
districts to spread the gospel OF naval
preparedness. The association also an
nounces that II will encourage scientific
research in the realm OF naval defence
and is prepared TO subsidize inventors
and others who arc engaged in this
study. Prince Higashi-Fushimi is per-
sonally experimenting the new cam
paign, which is practically official in
character.
The naval authorities are cooperating
by sending the battleship Satsuma on a
round OF visits along the coast. where
she is to be thrown open 70 public In
spection. She carries an extra stan Of
officers who viii give lectures on Japa-
nese naval history AZ the local schools
The slogan Of the Kaibo Kyokai is
mo tampering with the eight-eight
/ Dreadnought programme" which Is de-
scribed as the irreducible minimum OF
naval strength necessary TO safeguard
Japan's vital interests.
i