The New York herald., 1921-11-29
Hopes America Will Accept 1t
as Least Strength Re-
quired for Security.
TONNAGE NOT MAIN THING
Limitation Of Armament. Not
Relative Size, Chief OBJ
ject Of Farley.

WAsHINcroN, Nov. 2S tAssociated
Press).-To safeguard properly the
| interests of the japanese Empire 3
ratio of 20 per cent. in tonnage OF
capital ships is necessary, Vice-Ad'
| miral Kanji Kato, president Of the
Japanese Naval College and chiei
naval adviser to the Japanese delega-
ton to the Washington conference
said to the Associated Press tonight
in an interview.
Vice Admiral Kato, who is regarded
as the leading Japanese authority or
naval strategy, declared that the main
issue for the Conference on Limitation
of Armament was the reduction OF
armament burdens.
Japan accepts this issue whole
heartedly." he continued. "and is quite
prepared to scrap capital ships under
construction and old batti.ships- The
naval ratio is a question OF grave con-
Germ to the security of the nations.
hope the United States will accept the
20 per cent. for Japan, which is the
minimum of strength required for her
security"
The Vice Admiral remarked that the
agreement to limit armaments must be
accomplished by q thorough understand
ing of all those participating.
People Of all countries" no said.
must be in full agreement. Otherwise,
even though an agreement may be made,
il might create an unpleasant feeling
and defeat It's purpose. To meet the
desires of the japanese people as to
their national defence believe that 4
20 per cent ratio, as compared with the
United States and Great Britain, is nec-
esSary.
THE main ISSUE in the Imitation OF
srmaments, as have stated above, Is
to relieve the burdens of the nations.
Japan has shown her hearty accord TO
the idea, and has agreed TO the whole
sale scrapping of capital ships under
construction as we'll as old ships. This
practically means that the great purpose
of the conference has been attained, be-
cause IL indicates that in the future there
will come about huge reductions In naval
expenditure. There is another point 70
which would like TO call your attention,
When you think about the sacrifice made
by the nations represented at this con-
ference II seems clear that the degree OF
sacrifice is very great for Japan. !
mean that IL will be felt more kecnly by
us than by the United States, because
our industrial and ehpbuilding power
cannot bo compared to that OF America.
"when II comes 20 national asptra-
tions and the general security OF the
state. I believe Il best for the country
concerned 10 decide what those national
aspirations are and what security Is
needed 70 safeguard them. The pre-
amble 10 the American proposals spe-
cincally says that the United States be-
| lieves that the plan later presented safe-
guards the interests OF all concerned.
Let me emphasize again that In order
70 safeguard the interests OF the Jspa-
nese Empire 40 per cent. is necessary.
II the ratio OF 30 per cent. is accorded
to Japan this does not mean the pur'
pose OF tho conference IS defeated, be-
cause. as have pointed out before. tho
main purpose OF the present meeting IN
washington is limitation OF arnamen,s
The relatively OF tonnage Is not the
principal issue"
In closing vics-Admiral kato con-
tended that the capacity OF Japan 70
replace her warships was indnitely less
than that of the United States. japan,
he said, would be quite unable with her
present shipbuildlng and industrial
strength, and taking into account the
paucity Of her raw material, more espe-
clsiiy steel 20 engage successfully IN
competition as 70 the replacement OF
ships.
For instance" he said. do you real
| ize that the yearly output Of steel ~
Japan is only 100000 tons. whereas In
Continued on< rsgc Two.