Evening star., 1921-11-14
MODIFICATION SEEN
IN NAVAL PROGRAM
Expect Several Changes to
Be Suggested by Dele
gates From Japan.
RATIO CONTESTED POINT
Necessary Required Sea Strength
of One Nation in Relation to
Other Being Discussed.

It is evident that many modifica-
tions will be suggested to the Ameri-
can plan for the reduction of naval
armament, which was the dramatic
surprise of the opening session OF the
conference Saturday. The Japanese
naval experts, with Admiral Baron
Tomosaburo Kato. minister of navy
and ranking member of the delega-
ton. have been in session almost con-
stantly since the conference recessed.
Though no official statements have
been made suggesting changes in de-
tails, figures are being compiled. and
it seems already settled that several
important notifications will be sug-
gested. The proposals will come from
Japanese delegates.
British Less Concerned.
Possibly less serious objections will
come from the British. as the experts
believe that the reduction of ship ton
mage by Great Britain is less drastic
than the figures might indicate. 1t
is pointed ous that the four new capi-
tai ships, those of the latest Hood
type. on which Great Britain is ''to
stop further construction have not
been laid down. Their destruction
means pigeonholding of plans, pos
diverting of material to more peace
full purpose. but does not entail loss
of any comparison to the Scrapping
of ships almost completed or on which
construction has started. These ships.
which exist only on plans. total 49,,
900 tons.
In addition, out of nineteen old
capital ships. totaling 411.575 tons.
which Great Britain is requested to
dispose of, several have already been
ssrapped. However. after ten years
the navy of the mistress of the seas
is to be no larger than that OF the
United States, which is great step
toward International comfy.
Percentage Moot Point.
In an SIS vernacular where pro-
grams are captioned with figures, the
American proposal is referred to as
the go per cent" plan. The figure
has significance. both from the fact
that each of the three countries make
roughly a 80 per cent reduction in
additional fact that in computing
relative future tonnages Japan is put
on S-5 ratio. or 60 per cent basis, as
compared to either Great Britain or
the United States.
Whether Co. per cent is proper
basis is the moot point on which the
Japanese experts now are figuring.
Some persons suggest it should be 20
per cent, others say so. While prob
ably none from the other side of the
are equally satisfied in putting it at
less than 100. Also they are not Of
Tended at the American suggestion of
60. believing with true business in
stinct that now some figure has been
selected to start with. the trade soon
feel that If they can show that 60
is not fair figure, they should ask
to have the figure raised.
General Policy Approved.
Admiral kato's statement a few
hours after the recess was an ap-
proval of the general policy an
nounced by the American delegation.
1t was not to be interpreted as an
approval of all details as to how
naval reduction was to be accom-
pHshed. Today there is an unVary-
ing approval at the way in which
Secretary Hughes hit the high spots
and plunged into facts and figul IS
without wasting time for resolutions
of lofty sentiments and little action.
To a naval expert. however, an ar
bitrary figure which may seem suit
able to a civilian. evokes facts and
strategy.
In the discussion which is to come
whether 60 per cent is sufficient
strength for Japan. the question
whether the American fortifications
on the Pacific islands of Guam.
Hawaii and the Philippines are to be
razed will be important. Japan con-
tends that she is not amb:ti tious to
have a navy for offense. but does
insist on having one sufficiently large
for her own national defense. With
the conference starting in the friend
liest of feeling it might be unpleas-
ant to name any one power" from
whom she is anticipating troible.
However. navies are for war. and a
reduction of navies must be discussed
on a basis of what they can do in a
fight. With her neighbors, China and
Russia busy fighting among them
selves, and the other nations COM
paratively navyless, Great Britain
and the United States are the only
possible naval opponents.
Sumcient for Defense.
If Japan's navy is only for defen-
sive purposes any battle in which it
becomes involved would in all prob
ability be fought near Japan. Under
some circumstances Japanese navy.