The New York herald., 1921-12-25
Scope of Article II. Relating
to Nippon's Mainland
Is Disputed.
KATO HELD RESPONSIBLE
Appeal to Powers to Modify
Phraseology Urged to Re-
lieve Ambiguity.

TOXIC, Dec. "a (Associated Press).- -
The Diet opened to-day. Formal open
ing ceremonies will be held Monday.
Reduction Of the army by one-half
and the cutting down Of the period Of
military service from two years to
one will be part of the program Of the
Kokuminto or National Liberal party.
The needs of the Empire and the peo-
pie, said Takeshi Inukai, leader of the
party, to-day. demand the develop
ment Of agriculture and industry. to
which the youth Of the country can be
more profitably employed. 4
In an influential official source it
was reported that the Government
will make no further concessions to
China with regard to Shantung. If
China persists in cash payment, which
would result in transferring the pres
ent Japanese holdings to a con-
sortium. Japan. it was added, will see
no alternative but to await a more
favorable opportunity to discuss the
question.
Japan to Admit No Discussion.
The leading vernacular newspapers
credit the foreign office with authoriz-
ing the statement that japan is deter
mined to oppose the discussion of
Japan's twenty-one demands on China.
as proposed by the Far East committee
Of the Washington conference. At the
same time Japan is represented as pre-
pared to consider such part of China s
claim which does not affect Manchuria
leases or other fundamental privileges
acquired in the last thirty years.
The divergence of opinion on whether
Article III. Of the four Power treaty
negotiated at Washington applies to the
Japanese mainland has supplied frest,
ammunition for Japanese newspapers
opposed to that document. The more
important journals. however, so far have
taken a more rational view of the
phraseology of this much discussed
article.
The Asaht Shintbun believes the differ
cnces of construction will be settled
satisfactorily because the article in qucs-
tion is opposed In America and Japan
for Numerically opposite reasons; but
the AsdM anticipates further difficulties
growing out of ambiguity in the wording
of the treaty.
"Baron Kato Responsible"
The Yamdto Shimbun questions
whether the Japanese delegates have
given their approval Of the document
saying:
"If Admiral Kato was unaware OF
the defect all that is necessary will be
to ask the Powers to modify the
phraseology. Otherwise the people musI
hold Baron Kato responsible"
The Hochi Shimbun expresses the
opinion that the Japanese insular Eos
sessions in the Pacific are so closely
related to the Japanese mainland that
any menacing influence must tAffect both
Therefore, says the newspaper, as a
practical problem the issue dwindles tc
nothingness.
The Kokun,in Shinsbun says the Issue
is merely question of whether japan
will grasp a substantial gain at the cost
Of honor and prestige. The Jiji Shinpfc
says common sense justifies exclusion oi
the main islands of the Japanese empire
from the provisions Of the treaty, but
adds that a legal scrutiny Of the docu.
ment admits of double interpretati on
The newspaper justiies the position
taken by Secretary Hughes. but closes
| its editorial by saying the dispute Is toe
puny to add to 1t any more haggltng
over phraseology.