Evening star., 1921-01-25
UCH|DA DOUBTS
ARMAMENT CUT
Other Powers Must Make
Proposal, Japanese Min
lister Asserts.
by the Assocint ted Press.


armaments will be considered by the
Japanese government should it be
proposed by another nation, but little
hope is held out by Viscount Uchida,
foreign minister. that there will be
any immediate movement toward dis
armament. The foreign minister was
interpellated in the lower house Of
parliament by members of the oppo-
sition, and admitted that the limiting
of armaments was being discussed by
the powers.
Some practical men abroad, how
ever" he declared, do not approve of
immediate disarmament. although
German situation is one factor which
prevents complete agreement on the
subject. Some people believe Japan
has no intention to restrict arma-
ments because Eiscount Ishii. Jap
anese ambassador to, France. favored
the opinion Of practical men who OBJ
"Japan's naval policy Is net one of
exnansion. but is one that cannot be
avoided in the interests of-sslf-pro-
lection. Japan. however. IL ready to
consider the subject Of curtailment.
any power should make such a pro-
posal."
Hope for an early beginning of
direct negotiations with China in
regard to the restoration of 'Shantung
was expressed by the foreign min
lister. He declared the inauguration
Of trade with Russia might be con-
sidered after stable government had
been established by the far eastern re-
public at Chita.
Wants Japanese Out Of Russia.
viscount Takaaki Kato, the opposi-
ton leader, in a speech in the diet
attacked the government for keeping
troops in Siberia He declared there
was no justification for maintaining
japanese forces there and that their
presence would never result in a
settlement of the Russian problem.
Premier Hara in reply said that he
would like to withdraw these troops,
but that he believed their maintenance
in Siberia was necessary in the interest
Of .Japan's national defense.
The house was packed in anticipa-
tion of Viscount Kato's speech Prior
to the address. Kiyoshi Nakashoji.
former minister of agriculture and
commerce. continued his Interpolation
concerning the failure of Japanese to
obtain benefits from the war which
her participation merited and also
concerning the situation in China and
questions were causing the country
grave anxiety. but that the most i'm
portant question was Siberia.
"The whole province" he said. "is
fast being bolshevized- What will the
government do?
Powers Not to Act mt Present.
Premier Hara answered that it was
impossible to prevent the bolsheviza-
tion of an alien land. He said the
bolshevization of Siberia was unde-
sirable. but that it could not be effect
lively checked.
Again taking the rostrum. Mr.. Naka-
shoji asked: Does not the govern
ment intend to take steps against the
bolshevik menace even If the peace of
the far east is. seriously jeopardized?"
Premier Hara responded that what
ever the result of the bolshevik pre-
dominance there was no likelihood OF
movement was confined to Russian
II japan had withdrawn her troops
from Siberia when the United States
did she would not have been open to
the charge that her ambitions were
militaristic. declared Viscount Kato.
attacking the governments Siberian
When Premier Hara in his reply de-
clated his belief that the maintenance
or troops In olDcTid WAS ucCcSSdfy u
Japan's national defense. Viscount
Kato rejoined with the declaration
that the premier's explanation was
not at all satisfactory.
should HIVE Followed U. S.
In opening his address. Viscount
Kato said that when America pro-
posed Joint action in Siberia he had
hoped that Japan would determine the
strength of her force after taking the
powers into her confidence, but in
stead of living up to the interna-
tional agreement She had dispatched
of $4,000 men, creating a misappre-
hension abroad as to Japan's aims.
Then, contrary to general expecta-
rions, Japan had withdrawn only par
tally when the repatriation Of the
Czechos,ovaks in Siberia had been ef-
fected.
"When America withdrew. the op-
position leader declared. Japan should
have followed suit il she really de-
sired to respect the spirit of joint ac-
tion and really had in view at the
time. It was decided to send an expe-
ditionary force. the facilitation of the
Czechoslovak withdrawal The Amer
ican withdrawal virtually deprived
Japan of Justification for the further
maintenance Of troops in Siberia"
Viscount Kato asked why. II Japan
and Chita for the maintenance OF politi-
cal stability, as had been explained, she
withdrew from these points at a time
when the political conditions were equal
ly menacing.
! Everything" he said. points to the
conclusion that the stationing Of troops
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