The New York herald., 1921-11-18
Special Despatch TO THE New YoRK HEslLn
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Nov. IL.


Japan wants considerably bigger
navy than is provided in the terms OF
the American proposals. She wants
capital ship tonnage of more than 60
per cent. of that of the United States
or Great Britain, and further, auxil-
iary vessels the total tonnage of which
would approximate the other navies
OF the world.
That was announced tonight by
Admiral Baron Kato, the Japanese
Minister of the Navy, as the forna.
position of Japan with regard 10 the
programme for limiting the navies. II
represents the final opinion of the
Japanese naval experts accompanying
the mission and also, 1t is understood,
the Government at Toxic.
Because of her geographical posi-.
ton" Admiral kato announced. Japan
deems it only fair at the present time
that the other interested countries
should agree that she maintain pro-
portion in general tonnage slightly
greater than so per cent, and, in a
type OF vessel of strictly defensive
character, she might desire even to
approximate that OF the greater
navies"
The announcement was made TO the
newspaper correspondents at a set
conference with the japanese Minis
ter Of Navy at the Navy Department
Building at o'clock tonight. When
he completed the statement Admiral
Kato submitted to few questions in
tended to throw further light on the
Japanese programme. but the details
he gave were few.
Under the terms OF the american
proposal for limiting the navies of the
world and the replacement figures Tor
capital ships for the three naval Pow
ers the United States, Great Britain
and Japan. is fixed at 100000 tons for
the United States, 100000 tons for
Great Britain and 100000 tons for
Japan.
Separate and distinct from this a
ratio is fixed for auxiliary vessels, the
ratio of five five three" being fol-
lowed, so that the United States would
have 100000 tons, Great Britain 450,-
600 tons and Japan 27O.OO0 tons. Ves-
sells OF this type include cruisers and
dcstroyers.
Admiral kato's announcement means
20 far as capital ships are concerned.
that the japanese Government win IN
sist that the new dreadnought Mutsu
be retained. 1t had been proposed by
Secretary Hughes. speaking for the
American Government that this dread
rought be scrapped. Mr.. Hughes said
In his formal statement that she had
been launched; the japanese say the
vessel not only. has been launched but
is in commission. Mr.. Hughes's recon-
was based on the informa-
{ ION that had como into the possess
ion Of the American Navy Depart
ment.
The addition OF the Mutsu 10 the
Japanese navy means an increase in
the capital ship power OF that nation
Of 23.s00 tons. or. IN a general way,
5i'insing the relative strength Of Japan
IN capital ships up to 20 per cent. OF
the capital ship tonnage Of tho United
states and Great Britain.
The surprising feature of Admiral
Natos announcement. and one that
may prove 10 be a point of consider
o ole discussion in the conference. was
the declaration that Japan "might de-
sire to approximate that of the greater
navies" with regard to auxiliary ton
mage.
Admiral Kato. although the question
was put directly. did not reveal just |
what type of ships Japan would seek.
I'm the formal announcement II was
mentioned that the increase was de-
sired "in type OF vessel of strictly !
defensive character" Admiral Kato !
lid. however. say Il was not intended |
% ask for any additional submarines.
The obvious deduction was that
Japan wants TO he allowed more light |
,ruisers and gunbvats, these last ca |
)able of negotiating the Chinese rivers. |
such craft the Japanese might readily |
describe as defensive. particularly III
hey were OF a type which Limit their /
cruising radius that is. with a limited |
'ucl supply, which would insure their
not being used on the high seas at any |
distance from base.
In this connection there is little doubt