The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-09
KATO OUTLINES
JAPAN'S POSITION
ON DISARMAMENT
Says His Nation Doesn't
Want a Navy Equal to
That of U. S. or
England


reiterating that japan is ready to
cut down her naval programme in
agreement with the powers. provided
the safety of Japan is assured, Ad-
miral Baron Tomosaburo Kato, min
lister of marine and ranking head OF
the Japanese delegation 10 the ar
mament conference here, proceeded
today to answer the specific ques-
ton:
what 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 for self defense must be
provided. The degree depends on
many factors and conditions, inter
nal and otherwise and the relations
OF the country with other powers.
InSular Position
For instance the admiral con-
tinued, lin the far east, Japan occu-
pies an insuiar position, Should
there exist nation that Intends to
make an attack upon Japan, 1t Is the
naval force alone that can defend our
empire. Japan Is not selt sufficient.
The question OF the smallnes or
greatnes of navy depends upon the
point OF view of each nation con-
corning. / do not consider the navy
of Japan a great one. The plans al
ready adopted are much inferior to
the programmes adopted by Great
Britain and the United States"
Ia H. =.
out clearly that Japan's position on
naval reductions had been precise
and UNMARRIED since he first ANNOUNCED
II in Toxic over year ago, and
he wanted the American people to
understand that Japan goes into the
approaching conference with the will
lingness to cut down the so-calied
'eight-eight' programme provided
agreement with the other powers
can be obtained.
The Limitation of armaments can
not be effected by Japan alone" he
added AT the approaching confer
ence doubtless many proposition NAV
be made. II they demand the cut
ting down of our programme. we ara
ready to do so. / want to make IT
perfectly clear that that is Japan's
attitude"
The admiral explained that the
e'ght-and eight programme will be
completed in 1928.
1t was, of course. continuing pro-
gramme, he added. 1t had been be-
gun years ago. and from year to year
appropriations had been made in the
Japenese diet to carry the work for
ward.
proper basis of armament limita-
tion?'
Await American Proposal.
The admiral answered: Il have md
doubt a proposition will be made by
the American delegates to the con-
ference. Therefore, l think it is not
my place to state at this time our
ideas on that subject. l prefer TO
wait for the American proposition"
To the question: Have you pre-
pared any counter proposals to the
expected American proposition?" the
admiral responded:
Il have no programme to offer, but
in accordance with the development
of the American proposals we may
have some suggestions to offer. II
all depends on the nature and char
acter of the American proposal"
Docs Japan think that she re-
quires as strong a navy as Great
Britain and the United States?" he
was asked.
Japan has never expected" he re-
piled, nor. has she ever entertained
the idea that she should possess
navy equal TO that of Great Britain
OF the United States-she has never
thought even of equaling the navies
of those countries. let alone exceed
ing them"
The eight-and- eight Japanese ma
val programme feIerred To by Adj
miral Kato really means an eight
eisht-eight prog ramihe. because II
signifies that each one of the eight
dreadnaughts and eight modern bat
fle-cruisers making up the pro-
gramme is to be replaced at the end
OF eight years of service. This means
that Japan must build two super
warships every year. each at cost
of about $4,000. 900. and that stimuli
taneously she must make further ire
mendous outiays in replacing the
auxiliary ships and aircraft neces-
sary to round out her main fleet.
II is this stupendous outlay which.
in the epnino of responsible japanese.
Japan is in no position to stand.