The New York herald., 1921-11-09
Washington Officials En-
corlraged by Kato's Stand
for Navy Cut.
DECISION IS GRATIFYING
Toxic Government Willing to
Abide by Limitations Con-
ference Fixes.
BY LOUIS sE1BoLD.

BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.
sSscsoI Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Washington. ID. C., Nov. 8.
Tho ofacials OF the United States
Government, who are earnestly striv-
ing to bring about international
agreements which they believe will
guarantee benefits to all of the peo-
pies of the world, were very much en-
couraged to-day by the attitude of M.
BRAND. the French Premier, and Ad-
niral Baron Kato, the spokesman for
the Japanese delegation. M. BRAND
created very good impression by
his statement that France has come
to Washington with an open mind
snd is in sympathy with the ambi-
tions Of the United States
Baron Kato, who is the Secretary
Of the Imperial Navy, created an even
more favorable impression by not
only declaring that his Government
was ready to curtail it's "eight and
eight naval programme" to conform
to reductions by other countries, but
would acquiesce in any decision
reached by the conference.
M. BRAND, the French Premier, has
conducted himself pretty much liks
IAN uninstructed delegate to an
American political convention In
his conversation with President Har-
ding to-day and In his informal state.
ments to other ofiicials with whom he
came In contact, the French Premier
gave the impression that he and his
associates did not bring with them
any hard and fast formula for the so
luton of the armament and Far
Eastern problems with which the
Harding conference will engage itself
for some time to come.
Main object of the French.
On the contrary. the French appear
10 have approached the tasks to be
considered by the conference with only
one object in view. the contamination
of the plans for the relief Of world con-
ditions suggested by this Government
The associates and intimates of the
slightest doubt that the other nations
OF the conference are fully informed
as to the special needs of their country
in the defensive line and that every
allowance will be made to protect 1t
against future ravaging by Germany.
There Is no gainsaying the fact that
the French would place above any
other concession In this respect the
ratification by this Government of
the tripartite agreement embracing
France. Great Britain and the United
States. But the spokesmen for the
French Government appear to have
the fullest appreciation of the preju-
dice existing in this country against
such agreements whether effected by
treaties or otherwise. 1t Is quite prob
able that France will make fervent
and sincere plea for the consummation
Of some understanding that will assure
the support of the United States to
meet an emergency which the people
Of that country hold to be a constant
menace OF the future.
How such an understanding Is to be
effected In face Of the adverse sentiment
against such agreements Is the sole dis
turbing question In the French mind. |
Until the French position Is made clear, |
as II will be undoubtedly by its most |
eloquent representatives. the full extent |
Of her case cannot be clearly understood |
nor the necessity for contamination Of |
an alliance fully appreciated. In the
meantime the French attitude synchron- |
Ices with the ambitions Of the United |
states to provide correctives for the |
evils which are held to be the direct con-
sequence OF Imperialism and militarism.
knto's Frank Statement.
Quite as sing as the French |
ar<itude toward the approaching confer
encc was the frank statement made BY |
ADMIRAL Kato. spokesman of the deIcga-
tion headed by Prince Takugawa. The |
head OF the Japanese navy to-day seized |
upon the oppo rtunity provided by the
publication OF q prediction that in no
would hts Government con-
sont to modify It's naval programme.
which does not mature until 1928, to in
dicate the totally unexpected decision
Of his Government to make any con-
0ecsion that may contribute toward the
accomplishment OF the purpose Of the |
conference. at least In respect to the
Of armament project
Referring TO the specific report that
his Government would insist on com
pleting It's naval programme regardless
Continued on Pagc Eivht.