The New York herald., 1921-11-25
JAPAN'S NAVY RATIO
is TOPIC, She SAYS
Delegates Call OH Hughes and
Offer to Prove Figures Oh
Present Status.
WANT EARLY AGREEMENT
Nippon Cares More for Rela-
tive Strength Than for
Size of Fleets.
By h. Ia. KAwAKAMI.

By n. Ia. KAwAKAMI.
Special Correspondent Of the JtJi
Shimpo. Toxic.
Special Despatch to TAE NEW YoEK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Nov. ~.
Each succeeding day dawns with the
conviction growing among the japanese
delegates that the conference is going to
accomplish results in 4 comparatively
short time.
They think the main business of the
conference will be finished before Christ
mas, and that they may be starting for
homo in the early part of January. They
are also confident that they will leave
Washington in the friendliN feeling
toward the American Government and
people and nursing no unhappy thought
with regard to England or China.
The Japanese delegates have been
deeply impressed with the systematic,
pusinessilIe and withaI straightforward
manner in which sir. Hughes has been
conducting the meeting. They are abso-
lutely Convinced OF the sincerity and
! earnestness OF the Secretary Of State
and glad to deal with him in like spirit.
Japanese See Mr.. Hughes.
The important Developments which
took place yesterday as to both the
naval and the Chinese questions have
given great encouragement to the Japa-
nese expectation that the conference will
be success.
AS to the naval question, the Japanese
experts had frank but friendly ex-
change of views with the American ex-
perts in Mr.. HugheSs office at the State
department. What transpired behind the
closed doors is known only to those pres
ent at the meeting. But it is surmsed
that the conversation was characterized
with the spirit Of accommodation on
both sides.
The Japanese ask for moro informa-
ton on certain aspects of the American
proposal, more particularly the basis
or calculation as to the existing rela-
i've naval strength Of England, Amer
lea and Japan. They are of the opinion
that II the allotment OF ships for the
coming ten years is to be based on
the present ratio the present relative
strength OF the three navies should be
most carefully examined and defined
Say Estimate Is Wrong.
Inquiries have revealed that the
American estimate In this respect is not
entirely accurate. Barng his Judgment
upon that estimate, MIR. Hughes seems
to think that Japans present naval
strength is between 20. and 60 against
Americas 100 Consequently his con-
clusion Is that allotment of 100 to Amer
lea ana s 0to Japan for the coming ten
years. namely a ratio of to 3, does
not disturb the status quo OF the rela-
tive strength of the two navies.
Tho Japanese experts contend that
the estimate on which Mr.. Hughes's
conclusion Is founded Is erroneous. To
support this contention. II Is understood.
they have submitted to Mr.. Hughes and
the American experts a brief but clear
statement. which they are ready to
back up with the further information
and explanation. The substance of this
statement is carefully guarded from
| outsiders. but its conclusion Is said to
be that Japan's existing naval strength
is es against Americas 10 apd Eng
/ lands II.
Both American and Japanese experts
agree, Il is said. that IL the japanese
navy is reduced as proposed by Mr.
| Hughes 10 s as against Americas 10
Japan is exposed to an attack from the
! American Navy. In other words. Ja-
pans self-defence and security require
! n navy OF a ratio slightly more favorable
than 8 TO 10.
! Ratio, Not Size, Demanded.
Japan will be satisfied II the existing
ratio OF Z TO 10 is maintained, for that
/ Is the proportion which the Japanese
| EXPERTS think not only fair but neces-
/ sary to defend their country against
| an attack. Under that ratio the Jap
! anese navy will be far too small to
cross the Pacific for an aggressive pur-
1 pose. While the American navy may.
under the same ratio, find 1t possible TO
co TO Far Eastern waters for q similar
/ purpose, Japan viii be able to cope
/ TO 10 will insure peace and security to
both countries.
Japan, II is understood. will be will
! ing to 40 much further than the Hughes
plan in reducing the navy IL only the
| existing ratio of z to 10 can be main
tanned. Her sole purpose In insisting
upon that ratio Is the defence and Sc
curity of her territory
The Japanese delegates rely upon Mr..
| Hughess Arm stand OF fairness and JUS
tice. They are confident that once Mr..
I HuEne9 SraSpS tne real lIlctnAD5 o. tiitii
argument he will not be reluctant to
make due concession.
At the same time their minds are open
for any new information or argument
which Mr.. Hughes or his experts may
supply. II such information or argu-
ments are convincing the Japanese dele
gates and experts will be willing to re-
| cede from their present stand In a
word, their present attitude is. as see
| Il. one OF frankness. sincerity, OPEN
mindedness and Cancellation. all tend
Ing 70 an early settlement of the matter.
Naval Agreement Certain.
There is not the slightest doubt as TO
MIC amicable and satisfactory settlement
OF the naval question. Certain 1t Is that,
when the conference comes to an end,
England, America and Japan viii have
agreed on a programme OF radical re-
auction In their respective navies. Al
ready the Japanese naval officers here
ere anticipating the dismissal in the
near future of q large number of Of
ficera They think that from next year
the number OF students In the naval
academies will DO radically reduced. An
officer said 10 me:
I'VE have no Illusion as 70 what y
ahead OF us. a new era has dawred
upon the Pacific and the world. we
must ourselves be ready and willing 70
scrap ourselves"
/ The naval retrenchment. which Is -
/ no carried out By the three Powers 90
N a.. l. %. a.