The New York herald., 1921-11-19
ALL WANT GUARANTY
Baron SakamOtO Says That
Hughes Plan Asks Too
Much of Japanese.
BIG WARSHIP LAUNCHED
Toxic Paper Urges Restriction
Of Aerial Development Hay-
ing War Objective.

TOXIC, Nov. is (Associated Press).- -
Some of the leading Japanese news
papers would not look with disfavor
upon the cancellation of the Anglo
Japanese alliance, provided there are
general assurances of a continuation
of friendly relationship, according to
the Far Eastern question. Comment
on this phase OF the Washington con-
ference to-day began to overshadow
discussion of the American proposal
for the limitation Of naval armament.
The Nichi Nichi Shimbun declared
the Anglo Japanese alliance had out
run it's objectives and that if any
thing could be said in favor of it's fur
ther maintenance this should take the
form of a general guarantee for the
furtherance of Anglo-Japanese friend
ship. This end could be better at
tanned, the newspaper claimed, by some
other means, especially if the alliance
appeared to be calculated to give
America any anxiety.
"If America and Great Britain really
want to cancel the pact" the Ntchi
Nichi declared, Japan, under the pres
ent circumstances, should see no ne
cessity for insisting on it's further
maintenance"
Cautious View Prevails.
A spirit of caution has developed in
Japan with the inclination to look for
a possible advantage to the United States
in it's proposal for a ten year naval
holiday and limitation OF navfes. Ex-
pressions favoring a more equal balance
of power have become the conspicuous
note in public utterances.
The sacrifice Of warships aggregating
100000 tons by Japan would be equal to
the scrapping of 100000 tons by the
United STATES. Japanese analysts declare.
on the ground that in an emergency the
United States could replace her lost
tonnage within third or even a fifth
of the time required by japan with her
limited facilities.
II also is pointed out that the American
proposals would leave the United States
five capital ships constructed between
1914 and 1915, while, with the exception
Of the Nagato, Japan's would all be of
the period prior to 1913. 1t Is admitted
that the Japanese navy would be su-
perior to the American In speed through
the elimination of battle cruisers, but
the experts declare that in all else the
plan would favor the United States
Some members of the Admiralty are
credited with expressing the belief that
the Japanese fleet should aggregate 66
per cent. of the American total.
Compensate for Cut.
Concessions by the United States In
regard to Pacific Notifications as an
offset to what is generally coming to be
regarded as the unfair ratio of naval
strength are suggested by Baron Toshi-
atsu Salxamoto, an influential member of
the House of Peers, in an article in the
Asoht SHIN bun.
He declares that the ratio should be
twelve battleships for Japan to eighteen
for the United States instead of ten to
eighteen. He says further that under
the Hughes plan. with Japan retaining
only one of the superdreadnought type,
the Nagato, against Americas three,
Japan's ratio would be reduced to ap-
proximately ten to twenty. A fairef
balance, he argues. might be secured In
a different direction. namely, the forti-
&gzxx - al ID<,- x..l,t L. IA
is important to discuss together with the
question OF eliminating all naval bases
which menace Japan.
Meanwhile the Kaga, the giant super
dreadnought with a displacement of
$4,000 tons. one of those destined to be
scrapped under the Washington propo-
sails. was launched this morning at Kobe
in the presence of 10000 persons The
ceremony was begun by the reading of
an address from Admiral Kato, now in
Washington. by Vice. Admiral Murakami.
The HocjH Shtubnn considers there
has been a serious omission in the pro-
posals. inasmuch as restriction of aerial
possibilities is not touched upon. There
has been a striking development In that
department in America, says this news
paper, and II declares that the Ameri-
cans attach greater Importance TO aerial
presses the hope that the United States
will propose equally drastic restrictions
along these lines.
Open Door Versus Spheres.
As 70 the Far East and China in par
ticular the JiG Shiplpo expressed the
opinion that The American attitude was
more for q stricter application OF the
"open door" in China than for the de-
struction of the spheres OF infiuene ee
hitherto established by some OF the
Powers.
The Hochi Shimbu,l, referring to the
reported proposals Of the Chinese dele
gates at Washington 20 publish the Sc
cret agreements previously concluded
between China and the Powers. said:
"It Is true that some such agreements
were concluded with Great Britain about
Tibet and with Japan about military
supplies during the late war. but most
OF them were Intentionally published or
else their contents leaked out 80 that
the Chinese suggestion would in no wise
embarrass the Powers
The Yomi-Uri Shimbun, in discussing
the Shantung question, declared Japan
had done everything possible and that
there was little room for elaborate dis
cussion OF the question at Washington.
The Niohi NicM claimed II had learned
that at the latest Cabinet meeting Japan
had resolved to insist on her Shantung
policy already defined.
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