The New York herald., 1921-11-19
London Times Editor IEti-
mates KatO's Course Swings
to Bargaining.
HEDGING ON ARMS RATIO
Baron's Acceptance of 5--5--3
Naval Plan Modified in
Later Announcement.
BY WICKHANI STEED.
Editor Of The London Times.

(CopyIf0ht, 1921, by United Netos.)
WAsInNGroN, Nov 1S.-There has
been change, which may or may not
prove essential, in the Japanese attitude
toward the limitation of naval arma-
ments. Under the immediate influence
of Mr. Hughes's statement of the Amer
lean plan, Admiral Baron Kato informed
representatives of the press last Saturday
AFTERNOON that Japan accepted the ratio
of 5-5-3 as the index of the naval
strength OF the United States, the Brit-
ish Empire and Japan.
AT Tuesdays plenary sitting he am
nounced japanese accentance of the plan
In principle; but some experienced hear
ers felt that he spoke with reserve, as a
man who had not yet received definite
instructions. on Thursday evening he
again met representatives of the press,
and made in japanese a statement which
was translated officially into English as
follows:
Because of her geographical position
japan deems il only fair at the preso mt
time that the other interested countries
should agree that she maintain a 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."
Surprised at Announcement.
This announcement caused some sur
prise to members of the conference. 1t
followed hard upon the news that the
Japanese Ambassador in Washington.
Baron Shidehara, is suffering from some
form of gastric disorder and would be
unable for forty-eight hours to present
to the conference the Japanese view on
the Chinese memorandum. Baron Shide-
hara's indisposition is believed to be
genuine. and not to be due, as one ir-
reverent journalist put it, to acute con-
gesttion Of the cables Nevertheless
some American newspapers show scep-
ticism, and suggest that the delay may
be required for a study Of the Chinese
memorandum and for communication
with Toxic.
Baron Kato's announcement raises
several points. of interest Is it an
indirect attempt to save for Japan the
battleship Mutsu, or even the Kaga and
the Tosa? What is the type OF vessel
of strictly defensive character" in
which Japan might desire a strength
approximating to that of the American
and British navies? Is the announce
ment merely an Oriental form of bar
gaining. or does it represent the settled
intention of the Japanese General staff
In the latter event, does Japan ina gine
the United States delegation to be so
anxious to secure some agreement on the
limitation of armaments, or to be so un-
certain OF a successful solution OF Far
Eastern political problems. as to be
ready to pay a higher price for Japa-
nese acceptance of the limitation pro-
posals?
Treatment of Newspaper Men.
Premature publicity on points of de-
tail may tend to crystalline q situatio
at moments when fluidity is expedient.
If these considerations were present in
Baron Kato's mind. and If he has de-
iiberately incurred the risk of leading
the public to believe that Japan is now
unwilling to accept one of the main
features of the American plan, his action
must be ascribed to definite instructions
from Toxic.
His reported treatment of Japanese
newspaper correspondents here, whose
name is legion, does not invalidate this
supposition. The correspondents had
apparently intended TO hold a meeting
for the purpose of passing a resolution
to urge the japanese delegation to ac-
cept the American proposals without
reservations. Their intention is alleged
to have come to Baron Kato's ears. He
summoned the correspondents to appear
before him. and wigged them sourdly,
telling them to mind their own business.
The meeting was therefore Indefinitely
postponed.
Pending the recovery OF Baron Shide-
hara, the merits of the Chinese m,mo-
randum are unlikely to be discussed
officially by the conference committee,
but public discussion is proceeding Wig
orously. Some American and come jap
anese writers In the American press sug-
gest pointedly that the Chinese memo
randum was really Inspired by the
United States.