Arizona republican., 1921-11-18
JAPANESE ASK
 FOR GREATER
 SHIP TONNAGE
ADMIRAL KATO SAYS JAPAN WIL L
 ASK FOR MODIFICATION OF PLAN
 WITH RIGHT. TO MAINTAIN VESSEL EQUAL TO AMERICA AND BRITAIN
TRepubIIcan A. p. Leased WIreI

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.-AdmiraI Baron Kato, head of the Japanese delegation to the armament confer ence, announced today that Japan would ask modification of the American naval limitation program which would permit Japan to main tain general tonnage slightly greater than 60 per cent" of that Of each of the other two powers.
 Japan would ask, Baron Kato said, for the right to maintain "a type of vessel of strictly defensive charac- ter" with tonnage approximating that maintained by the other two powers.
 The statement issued by Baron Kato said:
 Because of her geographical situ- ation, Japan deems it only fair at the present times that the other in- terested countries should agree that she should maintain a proportion, in general tonnage slightly greater than 60 per cent, and in a type of vessel of strictly defensive character. she might desire even to approximate that of the greater nayies.'' ru Aaron Kato's statement was made kta conference with newspaper cor respondents but he would not give datails as to the notifications his delegation would submit, saying this was for the conference to discuss. It was assumed generally, however, that the slightly greater general tonnage the Japanese desired would include the battleship probably just commissioned, and that the type of defensive vessel referred to was a light cruiser suitable for policing waters of the Far East against pi- rates and the like.
 The Mutsu is a ship of some 33.o00 tons, armed with eight 16-inch rifles. She is comparable to the American Maryland class and according to Secretary Hughes program each nation would retain but one ship in this class. Great Britain has no bat tleships of this type. If the Mutsu is later added to the ships Japan is to retain, she will make the second 16-inch gun ship for Japan and it wass assumed that if this was grant ed the American delegation would desire to retain the West Virginia Of similar characteristics to be launched Saturday.
 Admiral Kato made his statement in the presence of II. Hanihara, vice minister for foreign affairs. and sev- eral other members of the Japanese delegation. He was asked to define more clearly what he meant in stat ing that in a type of vessel Of strictly defensive character she might desire to approximate that of the greater navies." and in reply said he wanted to make it clear the above reservation did not apply to capital ships, but to other ships of a de- fensive character
 In reply to another question, he added that the reservation did not refer to submarines.
 Has Japan any views" he was asked. 'as to the tonnage of subma- rines?"
 T have no views to express" he answered. until have had a chance to read and study the proposals of Great Britain"
 There is some idea of abolishing submarines. poison gas and other like instruments of warfare" said another questioner. Has the Japa- nese delegation ever considered this?"
 T hope to take this matter up in the conference" the admiral replied. "so am not in a position to answer at this time"
 The auxiliary combatant craft were divided under American pro- posals into three classes: Auxiliary surface combatant craft, submarines and airplane carriers and aircraft: