Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
OPINIONS OF
GOVERNMENT AT
TOXIC SOUGHT
Continued from page ~

any comment on the British position.
Baron Kato said he would not regard
he situation as constituting a dead
lock, and another member of the Jap
anese delegation. using a different
phrase. emphasized that 1--WE are not
pessimistic."
The submission OF the entire subject
to TOXIC indicates that under the
Japanese system 1t will be considered
by the Japanese cabinet as we'll as by
the diplomatic advisory council, a body
composed of eminent Japanese, chief
ly former ministers. Representative
Japanese expressed the opinion to-
night that in order to reg CT a decision
every element connected with the
question must be taken into consider
alton With the result that the ex-
changes here might be showed down
appreciab:y.
A Matter for .Big Thrce."
So far as the Washington end of
the problem is considered. it having
narrowed down to direct and personal
exchanges among the naval big
three"-secretary Hughes, Mr., Bal
four and Baron Kato. The committee
Of naval experts will be available,
OF course, il further questions Of fact
have to be worked out, but the pos
sibility seems remote. The questions
Of policy must be decided by the plen-
ipotentiaries themselves. and the big
three constitute the inner circle of
authority among them.
In the sidesline discussions today
here We're. further suggestions that
the question of naval bases and for
~,tifications in the Pacific might find
a pace of growing prominence in the
naval ratio negotiations. So far az
officials have revealed. Japan has not
yet formally raised that point. but 1t
has been suggested by Japanese not
directly connected With the delega
ton that Toxic might seek, along with
a ratio agreement. a definite under
standing as to the American and
British bases in Pacific waters.
while on the way to Washington
the Japanese delegation made known
their desire to establish a. policy un.
der which Japan would have a navy
large enough to meet any>>force tina,
any other power would be able tc
send to the Orient. In other words
it was suggested that Japan mus
have some assurance that American
Notifications in tho Philippines anc
Guam were not to be increased to the
point where the entire American navy
/ would be able to use then as base.
in an offensive against the Japanes.
) empire So" @ ~
Defense Question Involved.
AS the issue involved now is return,
ed to the question of policy. the suE
gestion is made that the problem O
national defense of the Japanese EN-,
pire is very closely related to tn.
question Of naval Notifications which
are located nearby.
1t has also been irtimated that tn
question Of strength of navies is link
ed up in the Japanese mind with tn,
prospect of obtaining some under
Nstanjing with reference to genera
policies In the Far East. The exist
ing status of the Anglo-Japanese AL
lance is modified to bring it into har
mony with the covenant Of the Leagu'
of Nations. is believed to be a matte
! of considerable concern to japanese
statesmen who. If they are unable t.
obtain a renewal of the @~alliance
would desire to see some substitute
agreement Dr. understanding which
will assur to them the .possibilit,
Of a legitimate development in tn,
Far East without a menace from
other strong naval powers.