Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-02

conclusion Of some understanding or
| agreement which will prove practicable
and effective in enforcing limitation Of
ornaments"
Admiral Kato's opinion concerning
some phases Of the conference and his
country's attitude IN relation thereto. was
expressed in answering a list Of half Q
dozen questions put to him. The Ques-
tons and their answers follows 7
Q. It has been reported in the Amer.
ican press that Japan viii conclude hes
eight and eight program regardless Of
! the conference. Is this necessary to
Japan's safety?
JAPAN IN
CANCELLATION MOOD.
A. Japan is coming to the conferences
in the spirit Of Cancellation and will not
necessarily insist upon this program.
provided proper understanding can be
reached at the conference.
Q. What basis does Japan think
proper for Limitation Of armament-pro-
portionate limitation, according to present
strengths or equal Limitation by all OF
the powers?
A.-From various reports which have
appeared, I understand the American
authorities consider 1t premature to ex-
press any opinion along this line and
will make no statement on this point
until after the conference Is definitely
| convened. I believe it would hardly be
in accord with their wishes If I were to
say anything along this line.
Q-DOes Japan consider that she
should have a navy equal to those OF
Great Britain and America in view OF
the much shorter coast line she has to
defend?
A-Tbe object Of armament is to So
cure safety OF a nation. AS has been RS
vealed by Admiral Mahan, the naval
forces Of two opposing nations IN war
are not stationed along their coast lines,
but their main strengths are eoncen-
trated to be pitted against each other In
! a decisive battle and upon victory or de-
feat in such a battle will depend ths
! fate of the nations. This principle has
been thoroughly demonstrated by the
history OF naval warfare, especially dur
ing the recent World War. 1t is not
proper, therefore, to determine relative
naval strength according to the extent OF
coast lines I believe each nation has
the right to possess naval ornaments
sufficient to protect its OWL safety
against any naval force which other ma"
lions may use offensiYelye
| NO FoRTIFICATIONS
| IN PACIFIC.
! O. Does Japan consider fertilization OF
her islands Of the Pacific necessary to
her national defense and would Japan
meet America half way in agreeing not
| to fortify those islands?
| A At present there is no fortified island
| in the mid Pacific on our part. 1t viii
remain so long as we are certain Of the
| peaceful attitude of neighboring nations
toward Japan. Japan even exceeds your
question in eagerness and desire to use
the Pacific islands for purposes of peaceful
| development only. II is the earnest hope
of the entire japanese nation that thor
ough unders -anding be arrived at between
japan and America so that neither OF
| these countries stall fortify or equip as
naval bases any Of the islands situated
near the possession of the other.
Q. There Lave been frequent stories that
Japan is secretly engaged in building
number Of cruiser submaTines, and that
she is using the Islands Of the Pacific as
bases for these. Does Japan contemplate
the use Of the Pacific Islands as subma-
rine bases?
A. In answer to the first part Of your
question I would say that in these days
Of complete systems Of intelligence it is
matter Of absolute impossibility to un-
dertake any such construction program in
secrecy. such stories as referred are in
credible and unthinkable. With regard
to the latter part of the question, would
say that reports of Notifications on South
Sea Islands are absolutely without foun-
dation.-Ccpyright 1921, by International
News Service.