Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-18
NAVAL EXPERTS
DON'T ENTHUSE
OVER HOLIDAY
Proposal to Build One Ship a
Year Deeply Agitates
British Circles.
KATO WANTS CRUISERS
Special to Indiana Daily Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger.
BY ROBERT BARRY.

WASHINGTON, Nov Isl the mo-
ment British official circles were agitated
over a proposal to suggest the so-caIled
ship -a-year" plan, instead of an abso-
lutte naval holiday for ten years, Japan
came out into the open with two OF the
most important reservations yet to be
offered by any government to the Hughes
program for p limitation Of naval arma-
ment.
Admiral Baron Kato disclosed the dect-
sion Of his government to wage an active
fight for q higher ratio than the 90 per
cent which would be given Japan IN COM
parisOn with the United States and Great
Britain. He revealed also, his purpose to
contend IN the conference for q virtual
equality with America and Britain with
respect to a type Of vessel Of strictly
defensive character.
Investigation Of Baron Kato's proposal
disclosed a desire on the part Of the Jap
anese for development Of the American
type Of light cruiser. It does not con-
template, the japanese naval chief said,
equality in the matter Of submarines or
capital ships. The exclusion Of the latter
would preclude any possibility Of Jap
ansse insistence on her strategic right to
equality with respect to the British type
Of cruiser, or what is best known in the
struction Of 45,OOO-ton battle cruisers OF
great effectiveness was begun by Japan
some time ago.
WANTS CRUISERS
FOR DEFENSE.
japanese spokesman insisted Baron
KatO's reservation concerned itself en-
tirely with the light cruiser, Of great
speed and cruising radius. 1t is 1 type
somewhat larger than the American de-
stroyer, which rendered such exceptional
service against Germany. 1t is the sort
the allies used to clear shipping lanes
Of German raiders. Japan regards it as
essentially an incident Of defensive war
fare
Baron KatO's full statement OF the
japanese reservations follows:
Because Of her geographical position,
Japan deems It oniy lair at the present
time that the other interested countries
should agree che maintain a proportion
in general tonnage slightly greater than
90 per cent, and, in a type OF vessel Of
strictly defensive character. she might
desire even to approximate that OF the
greater naviez."
The japanese regard their navy as
woefully lacking in the light cruiser
type The KatO reservation would enable
japan to proceed with her program for
the rapid acquisition Of the light cruis-
ers. 1t was indicated by Baron Kato
in his address to the conference on Tues
day that Japan would contend for a
better ratio than the 5.5-3 program out
lined by Mr.. Hughes.
Just prior to the formal announcement
Of the Kate reservation one Of the most
remarkable Incidents in japanese journal
istic and political history occurred at
he .f7 Of Fn GnTo
or more Of japanese newspaper cor
respondents attending the conference held
q protest meeting against the presenta-
ton by their country OF reservations
which might put Japan In the light Of
blocking the Hughes naval reduction pro-
gran. or contributing IN any way to its
failure to prevail.
Not content with having thrust them
selves into the affairs OF their govern
ment, liberal leaders Of the japanese cor
respondents waited on Baron Kato and
told him they desired 70 enter most Wig !
orOus protest against the announcement /
Of the naval reservations Baron Kato !
discussed with them IN some detail his I
reasons for Offering the reservations.
Baron KatO asked the Japanese news /
papermeL to trust his judgment In the /
matter. Re said lie regarded the reserva- /
lions as SO reasonable he had no doubt 1
Of their acceptance by the technical ex-
perts Of other nations The majority OK /
the correspondents were satisfied to leave 8
the matter rest there for the present and !.
so advised Baron KstO. They said they 1
had no desire to embarrass the spokes- /
man Of their government, but they were 4
TO keep in mind the thought the great 4
body OF the japanese people wanted sue /
cess to attend the conference on he Inns /
tation Of armament
As those Developments Of Importance /
were taking place in the japanese dele !
CATION, stories persisted that the British !