Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-09
Special to Indiana Daily Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger.

and philadelphia Public Ledger.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-In re-
xnarkable statement of the most binding
and categorical character. Baron TomO-
Eaburo Kato, the actual chief Of the
Japanese delegation to the armament
5nference and Japanese imperial min
tste< Of marine, has proclaimed Japan's
readiness to reduce naval ornaments. He
went the whole gamut Of Cancellation. He
declared that not only would Japan stop
her great "eight-eight" building pro-
gram, designed to be completed by 1923
IF other powers agreed to corresponding
cessation in naval construction, but as
serted that all along the line Japan
would "cut down" her ornaments at sea
commensurate with the cuts agreed to by
sister nations. Japan has never
thought, and does not today think. "
added Baron Kato. "of building a navy
equal to that Of either the United States
or Great Britain"
Thus the Japanese in Washington, pur-
suing the diplomacy they appear to have
adopted from the outset, are first IN the
field with their cards on the table face
op. Baron Kato-"silent Kato" he prob
ably will be called in Japan no longer
had not intended to make so sweeping a
proclamation Of Japan's naval policy at
the Washington conference. On the first
occasion OF a meeting with the Amer
lean and japanese press last night, the
statesman sailor of Nippon had intended
mainly to confne himself to a denial Of
allegations published in a New York
newspaper that Japan alone opposes re-
ductiOn Of naval programs" Having de-
1tvered the denial, Baron Kato instructed
his interpreter to announce to the assem-
bled correspondents that he stood ready
TO face and answer any QUESTIONABLE
they desired to conduct. Then ensued
what his cOuntrymen present branded as
unique in Japan political history-the
spectacle Of the principal representative
Of the imperial government and the navy
making what bore every evidence Of being
a clean breast Of Nipponese sea policy
1nterrOgatories were fred at Baron Kato
A0int-blank He faced them as upper
turbed as Japan's battleship gunners
when they were pounding away at the
German forts at Tsfng-Tao seven years
ego this month. No query seemed to be
too ticklish- japanese delegation at
taches and journalists stood aghast at
their leaders boldness and frankness.
They branded his declarations much
fartherreaching than any Of the strong
men of the Hara cabinet ever addressed
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Baron Kato's reply to the final question
his inquisitOrs addressed probably will
be found most interesting to the people
of the United States and the world at
large
IMPORTANT QUESTION
FIRED AT BARON.
Baron Kato." the japanese delegate
was asked, What is Japans justifica-
ton for desiring great strength at ser !?
The British empire is Of worldwide
qualifications and depends on transac-
lions at sea for its life and political
existence. The United States has
enormous coast lines to defend, the Pana.
ma Canal to protect, a big merchant
marine to guard, and the Monroe Doc
trine to keep inviolate. Why does Japan
need to rival Britain and America at
scar"
This plans which have been adopted
By Japan" replied Baron Kato, SPEAK
ing thoughtfully and deliberately. ARE
very much inferior to those programs
adopted By both Great Britain and the
United States. I, myself, do not con-
slider that the navy Of Japan is a great
navy. Every nation that feels the
necessity Of sef-defense must have forces
that can defend. The degree Of force to
be maintained by each nation depends
upon great many factors. Among them
are conditions internal and otherwise
nd relations with other nations. For
Instance, Japan's position IN the Orient
Is that Of an insular power, like Great
britalH In the Occident. Therefore,
should there exist a nation which in
tends to make an attack upon Japan, our
naval forces alone would be able to de-
that japan is not a sef-sufficient land.
That circumstance by itself ought to
make clear the Importance OF the navy"
How far is japan prepared to 20 in
actual checking Of naval construction %
Baron KatO was asked.
JAPAN READY
To CUT NAVY.
From the moment" he said "that we
heard anything of the Washington con-
Terence, the Japanese government Asn
from time to time issued a uniform state
ment concerning Japan's attitude on this
question. In spite Of categorical state
ments to the contrary made by authorized
spokesmen Of Japan, statements persist
and In America to this very day-that
Japan would insist upon maintaining and
carrying out her 'tight-eight' program tot
eight battleships and eight battle crul-
sers to be ready by 1929. In March of
this year I communicated to the American
press at Toxic in my official capacity as
naval minister the assurance that Japan
would insist on nothing Of the sort. II
ought to be clear by this time, should
think. that Japan, far from standing
trrevOcably on the 'eight-eight' program
is ready to cut down the program she has
initiated II an agreement with other
powers concerned can be attained pro-
viding the safety Of Japan is assured. "
VIII Japan take the initiative at the
conference in proposing the cut down
you mention ?"
AT the approaching conference" re-
piled Baron Kato, there doubtless will
be many propositions. We expect that
the United States will take the lead In
making them If these proposals project
q cutting down Of programs, we are
[1feady to do so. want to make it very
clear to you that this is the attitude Of
Japan In addition. would also like
to say that limitation Of ornaments can
not, OF course, be undertake by japan
alone. It must be done in conjunction
with other frst-class naval powers"
"Wnat should be in your judgment the
basis Of limitation? ?"
sit will be easier to discuss that ques-
ton when We know the nature Of the
proposals to be offered to the confer
ence. presumably by America. It prob