The New York herald., 1921-11-14
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
May ASK DEMOLITION
OF U.S.PACIF|C BASES
Hope Civilization Will Win
in Fight to Cut Cost
of Armaments.
STUDYING HUGHES PLAN
Delegates Silent, but Others
Discuss Razing American De-
fences in the Pacific.
STUDYING HUGHES PLAN
Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Nov I3

mantling the Pacific Notifications
and naval bases of the United States
in connection with the agreement pro-
posed by Secretary Hughes for the
curtailment of naval armaments,
This was indicated tonight when
THE NEW YORK HERALD learned at
Japanese headquarters that the naval
experts who are studying the Hughes
suggestions have raised that point. 1t
was explained by Japanese officials
that it was only natural that the mat
ter of naval bases should be taken up
in connection with the survey Of the
proposals for future naval strength.
The question Of Pacific fortifica.
tions, which did not appear in the
programme outlined by Secretary
Hughes, looms up, in consequence, as
one of the most troublesome which
the conference will have to consider.
That it easily might become point
of disagreement between the United
States and japanese to an extent
where naval limitation proposals
would fail of acceptance is generally
recognized.
Japanese Talk Hopefully.
Meantime Japanese delegates to the
conference, holding a reception to the
newspaper correspondents attending
the sessions, were speaking most hope
fully about the outcome. So far as
the United States and Japan are con-
cerned. they declared. there cannot
fail to be an agreement. The speeches,
which were brief were made by Ad-
miral Baron Kato. the Japanese Naval
Minister, and Prince Tokugawa, the
President of the Japanese House of
Peers.
1t became known officially at Japa-
rese headquarters that the selection
Of the Baron Korekiyo Takahashi as
the new Japanese Premier, to succeed
Baron Hara, had cleared the atmos-
phere so far as It concerned the Japa-
nese delegation to the conference.
There will be, it was announced. no
change IN the Japanese Cabinet. 1t
means that Baron Kato, who is here
as one of the three delegates. will
continue as the Japanese Naval Minis
ter. and further that there will be no
change in the personnel or in the In
structions that have been received by
the delegation.
The Japanere naval experts worked all
day on the curtaiment programme pro-
posed by Secretary Hughes. but the fact
that the study had not progressed suf-
ficiently to Determine the Government
policy toward It was revealed in the
speech of Admiral Kato at the reception
to the correspondents. For the most
part the comments made by the Japa-
nese naval leader were in line with those
he has given out before-sssurance OF
the willingness OF Japan to enter upon
programme which reflects the spirit of
the conference.
japanese Seek Only Friendship.
Japan brings to this conference only
proffers of friendship and seeks only
friendship from IT," Admiral Kato de-
clared.
THE costs of armament have now be-
come so heavy that they are burden
productive activity through
out the world. and Japan. like other
rejoices at the prospect of re-
lief that is now offered. Civilization
must put an end to the swollen arma-
ments of the world. or else armament
tufIl mn end IN ciyflfyatfnn
up to the present Japan has had
fears which have caused her TO continue
building, but her navy has always been
defensive. IL has never been her policy
or intention 10 rival either OF the two
greatest navies of the world. And |
an now happy to believe that whatever
fears she might have entertained can be
and will be dissipated by free and frank
OF views Mt the present con-
ference. The public pronouncements OF
the Secretary OF State at the inaugural
session OF the conference have clarified
the situation.
Meantime assurance from us Ia un-
The great distance that lies
between our shores and those OF America |
and the supremacy OF the United states |
In wealth, size and resources. make need
less any words that we could pledge.
with fears on both sides oblterated. |
an agreement, so far az Japan and the !
United States are concerned. cannot fail
TO come. II IL with this view that the
Japanese delegation will proceed to n
detailed examination of the American
which show convincing sim |
cerity Of purpose"
The address OF Prince Tokugawa
was much the same in tone.
we cannot doubt the success OF the
said he. IF any OF us
rnutin uod IN para Two.