Evening journal., 1921-11-09
JAPAN FAVORS
SMALLER navy
Ready to Stop "Eight-Eight'
Warship Building Plan,
Baron Kato Says
SEA POWER EQUAL TO
u. S. NOT THOUGHT OF


WASHINGTON, Nov s.-The hnai
interim OF stage dressing for the
armament conference was ushered
in by developments which for
tho first time concentrated on the
great diplomatic drama the atten-
e ton Of practically every element of
official Washington and its distin-
guished guests
Even the Senate took a hand in
the last minute preparations by
adopting with the tacit acquiescence
OF Republican leaders a resolution
presented from the Democratic side
Of the chamber requesting that the
doors of the conference room be
opened whenever the full body OF
delegates were in session. and thai
n record be kept OF everything that
transpired during the meetings.
Among those who will actually
J., sit at the conference table. Admiral
Baron Kato, head OF the japanese
delegation and naval minister OF the
japanese government. made himself
the center OF attention by a public
statement asserting that his nation
was willing. in the interest OF a sue
cessful conference. to go the length
OF reducing her "eight-eight" naval
building program IL a satisfactory
proportional agreement could be
reached.
After reiterating that Japan Is
reauy TO cut down her naval pro-
gram in agreement with the powers
nrnvided the safety OF Japan Is as
sured. Admiral Kato proceeded TO
answer the specific question "Wha'
is Japan's justification for a big
navy?"
EVERY nation" he declared dur
ing a conference with newspaper
correspondents. feels the necessity
Of self defense and knows that forces
sufficient fo- self defense must be
provided. The degree depends on
many facts and conditions. interna-
tlonal and otherwise. and the rela-
tions OF the country with other
powers"
For instance" the admiral con.
tinued. "in the Far East Japan oc.
cupies an insular position. Should
there exist a nation that intends I,
make an attack upon Japan, It is the
naval force alone that can defend
our empire. Japan Is not self-suf
fcient. The question of the small
ness or greatness OF a navy depends
upon the point OF view OF each ma
ton concerned. ] do not consider
the navy Of Japan a great one. Th'
plans already adopted are much in
ferior to the programs adopted b!
Great Britain and the United States.
Baron Kato said he wanted L
bring out clearly that Japan's posi-
tion on naval reductions had beei
precise and UNMARRIED since he frs
announced it in Toxic over a yea
ago and he wanted the American
people to understand that Japai
goes into the approaching confer
ence with the willingness to cut dow
the so called "eight-eight' program
provided agreement with the othe
powers can be obtained.
The limitation Of armament can
not be effected by Japan alone h
added. AT the approaching confer
ence doubtless many proposition
may be made. II they demand tn
cutting down Of our program. W
are ready to do so. I want to max
IT ptlAtNllg ei'oA t4iot % ~Nfo" %
titude."
Does Japan think that she re
qulres as strong navy as Grea
Britain and the United States" h
was asked.
Japan has never expected" n
replied. NOR has she ever entertain
ed the idea that she should posses
navy equal TO that OF Great Britai
or the United States-she has neve
thought even of equaling the navie
Of those countries, let alone exceed
ing them"
The eight-eight Japanese navS
program. because II signifies tina
each one OF tho eight dreadnauEhi
and eight modern battle cruiser
making un the program is 10 b
replaced at the end OF eight year
. service. This means that Japai
must build two super-warships ever
year. each at a cost OF about $50
600. 900 and that simultaneously sh
must make further tremendous on
davs IN replacing the auxiliary shir
and aircraft necessary TO round OF
her main feet 70 Is this stt
pendous outlay which. in the opli
ion OF responsible Japanese, Japa
is IN no position to stand.
NJ. Brands desire in connecuo
with the Armament Conference
that nothing should be withheld froi
the American public as 10 the mil
tary. the economic or the politics
situation Of France. or the reasoi
why that government Is or might
impelled 10 one course or anothe
The military position and require
mcnts OF France are matters
anxious concern and General Bua
the chief Of the French general stat
has brought with him to the confe
ence a chest OF documents respec
ing tho present militay strength
Germany and her potential powe
These. Il is said. include copies
secret instructions OF the Germa
ministry OF war, concerning n