Omaha daily bee., 1921-11-16
Big Powers
Accept US.
Naval Plan
Great Britain, France, Italy
And Japan Agree to Amer.
ican Proposal I'm Spirit
And Principle"
BRAND Praises Hughes

Washington, Nov. l5-(By The
Associated Press lin unison the
spokesmcn OF Great Britain, France.
Italy and Japan today accepted the
American proposals for limitation OF
naval armament in spirit and prin-
ciplc,' making only reservations for
suggesting notifications OF detail.
In order, Arthur J. Balfour speak
ing for Great Britain, Baron Ad-
miral Kato speaking for Japan,
Senator Schanzcr speaking for Italy
and NJ. BRAND speaking for France,
they arose in their places and prais-
ing in highest terms the plan and
program suggested by the American
government gave the adherence OF
their governments to the general
terms of the proposals.
Complete Approval"
Mr.. BRAND declared complete ap-
proval of what Mr.. Balfour had
said. He praised Secretary Hughes
also for having provided the COLI
ference with way to grcement. The
French, said M BRAND, were ready
to 'join wholc-heartedly" in what
ever plan would reach the objects
desired.
Speaking for Italy. Senator Schan-
zcr told the conference the Amer
ican plan had the general approval
of his government.
When the reading of the intcrpre-
tation Of Mr.. Balfour's speech into
French, during which Premier BRAND
took some notes, was concluded.
Baron kato, head of the Japanese
delegation, rose to make his state
ment.
Speaks in Japanese.
Baron kato spoke in Japanese and
kept all around the big table guessing
what he was saying.
During the delivery of his open
ing sentences, however, it became
known that he was bcspeaking
Japan's acceptance of the American
proposals in principle, as had Mr..
Balfour before him.
A free translation of Admiral
Kato's remarks was in substance as
follows:
with your permission I wish to
present my views on this great ques-
ton. | must speak frankly. Japan
appreciates the sincerity of the pur-
pose of the American government for
limitation of arms. 1t is satisfied it
will relieve nations of vast expendi-
lures and cannot but make for the
peace of the world.
Japan has no desire for fleet
equal to the United States or Great
Britain. aJpan is ready to proceed
to sweeping reduction in naval
armament, but wants to propose a
few notifications in the American
plan"
Audience Applauds.
When he said Japan is ready to
proceed with determination for
sweeping reduction in naval arma-
ment,' the audience rose and ap-
plauded. 'The nations must be pro-
vived with such arms as are required
for their security" the Japanese
! spokesman continued.
This requirement must be fully
weighed With consideration of this
requirement few notifications to
the proposals from the United States
\ will be proposed for replacement OF
the various classes of ships. This
must be given special consideration
by naval experts, and when such
notifications are prepared, | believe
that the American and other dele
gates will consider them with the
same consideration that our delegates
will give to theirs"
Baron Kato declared the American
plan would relieve the nations of
great expenditures and Cannot fail
to make for the peace of the world.
Secretary Hughes thanked the rep
resentatives of the powers for their
cordial expressions and declared tho
time had come to proceed with con-
sideration OF details of the proposed
agreement. The question could
now be studied, Mr.. Hughes said.
with the assurance that there will
come out Of this conference an ap-
propriate agreement to the end that
there shall be no more offensive
naval war"
Mr.. Hughes said if it was not the
desire to continue discussion, II
would be in order to adjourn. adding
that Premier BRAND would be cx.
pected to present his views fully latci
on the subject of land ornaments.
Premier BRAND then suggested
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