The New York herald., 1921-11-28
TOXIC TAKES STAND
ON ship ALLOTMENT
japanese Cabinet Sends Ex-
plicit Instructions to Head
of Delegation Here.
EXPECTED TO ACCEPT
Labor Conditions Make Cessa-
ton Of Building Diff
cult at This Time.
EXPECTED TO ACCEPT

WASHINGTON, Nov. 81 ASSOCIATED
Press) The japanese Cabinet and
Diplomatic Advisory Council at Toxic
are taking a hand in the negotiations
at Washington over the tonnage ratio
of capital warships to be allotted to
Japan. Admiral Baron Kato, senior
Japanese delegate, has laid the entire
situation growing out of the discus
sion by the committee experts before
his own Government.
1t is understood that Admiral Kato
received from Toxic to-day very ex
plicit instructions as to his procedure
in reply to communications from the
delegation giving the series Of figures
submitted by Japan to show the total
strength Of it's navy under various
classif1cations, as well as the opinions
expressed concerning measurements
by other experts at Washington, more
particularly the American.
1t is pointed out that while the Jap
anese have made it known publicly that
they believe they are entitled 10 ratio
of 10 per cent. there is no available evil
dence that, so far as the conference it.
self is concerned, Japan has formally
laid claim to the 30 per cent. ratio. Ad-
miral Kato's statement to the press was
that Japan believed that she was en-
titled to a slight increase In tonnage
ratio of capital ships Since then the
matter has been in the hands of the
committee; which Is expected to meet
again tomorrow.
. Japan Expected to Accept.
The report was IN circulation to-day
that Japan, failing to have her own
standard of measurement accepted,
would be quite disposed 10 accept the
"5-5-3" arrangement This impression
seemed to be growing among Japanese
who follow closely the work of their
delegation. They were of the opinion
that japan would not by overinsistence
go SO far as to endanger the success OF
a general naval agreement.
Questioned tonight as TO this state
ment, japanese naval experts repieo
that they we're not in a position TO d.
vulge the Instructions from Toxic
Meantime. whatever may be the
eventual decision Of the conference as
to ratio |. seems clear from despatches
received from Toxic that the prospects
of cessation Of warship building In
Japan is causing serious disquietude in
la Dor circles and Is giving the 9oTcrn-
ment some anxiety as to now to furnish
fa- trf1f
who will lose this means of earning a
living.
The great shipbuilding yards OF Japan
ere those of the Kawasaki and the Mitsu-
bishi companies. II Is understood thar
some $500 employees OF these yards,
most of which are situated in the city
of Kobe. have decided to hold great
public meeting in Kobe on December /
TO consider the situation. The meeting
has been called by the joint labor or
genizations OF the country with the idea
of presenting to the capitalists some
practical project of finding new ways
of livelihood for the men who are cer-
tain to be discharged If naval agree
ment is reached. The Home Depart
ment has begun an investigation in all
prefectures Of the country to determine
measures to relieve the very considera-
BILE unemployment which would follow
naval curtailment.
Labor situation Serious.
Reports indicate that following the
discharge Of 266 workmen by the Yolto-
hama Dockyard Company on November
20, i'm anticipation OF the effects of the
naval agreement, the mon immediately
demanded heavy indemnity or allowance
for the loss of their positions.
Two months ago the great shipbuild-
ing yards In Japan were the scene OF
strikes. remarkable for Japan, because
the workers not only demanded an in
crease I'm wages which the companies
felt they could i'll afford but insisted
upon the appointment of workmen's fac
tory committees which would carry on
by its own responsibility the mechanical
work Of the plants
Practically all the demands OF the
.Jspanese worlCmen were granted. II
was believed here. therefore. that the
problem OF finding new employment for
those who will have no work will tax
ALI the wisdom OF the Government at
a time when the general labor situation,
growing out of the decline IN Japanese
exports, coupled with a cost of living
that is higher than In any other coun-
try. Is giving the leaders OF japan great