The New York herald., 1921-12-28
Hanihara Believes It Best
to Clarity, Though Not
Important.
NOT SUPPORTING FRANCE
Position On Submarines Is One
Purely % National
interests.

WASHINGTON. Dec. c7 (Associated
Press) The Japanese arms confer
ence delegation, it wos understood to-
day. may suggest informally to the
delegates of Great Britain, France and
the United States the drafting of a
written agreement that the new four
Power Pacific treaty be not construed
a5 applicable to the islands generally
con,idered as comprising the japanese
mainland.
The suggestion the Japanese may
make. 1t was said. would be for some
thing that would not amount to an
amendment of the treaty but consist
merely of definition in written form.
Would Clarity Scope.
Baron Shidehara. the japanese Am
bassador. called on Secretary Hughes at
the State Department late to-eay and,
although no announcement was made
concerning the subjects discussed. there
was some reason to believe that the four
Power treaty entered the discussion. In
this connection it Is believed Baron
shidehara may have suggested the pos
sibility of an exchange OF notes to
clarity its scope.
Cablegrams from Toxic the last few
days assert that practically the entire
japanese press strongly oppose any in
clusion Of the mainland. The opposition
is based on the idea that Japan does
not desire that her mainland be included
while the mainland Of the other sigma
tories Great Britain, United States and
Farnce. Is excluded.
Mr. Hanihara, one Of the Japanese
delegates. said the press Of his country
was distinctly opposed to the inclusion
of the homeland of japan within the
meaning Of the treaty.
Our newspapers think 1t Is not dgni-
fled to include our homeland" he said
'Will Japan propose an amendment
to the treaty." he was asked
Il hardly think So" he replied.
NJ Hanihnra said he could act answer
the question whether Japan was COM
mitted to the inclusion of japan proper
under the terms "insular oossessions'
an6 "insuar dominions." but he en-
phasized that In any event Jaan did not
consider the question to be an rnportant
one. He gave the impression that It
would be better to clarity however the
would be no opportunity in tire future
for any Misunderstanding as to what
its terms exactly indicated.
An interpreta ton not applying the
treaty TO the major Japarene islands
would be a reversal of the understanding
said TO have existed among the delega-
tions when the treaty was signed. 1t
would be adverse also to the nterpre-
tation announced by the American dele
A..4 H. - tl.,.A
by President Harding Should the Toxic
Government decide formally {, suggest
such an agreement the move might pre-
cipltate an Intricate situation in the
conference.
Not Supporting France.
In Japanese quarters II was esnpha-
sized tonight that the japanese delega-
ton was not In a position OF supporting
the claims Of France to a 10000 sub
marine tonnage. Japan. II was said. was
objecting to the American plan solely
from the viewpoint Of her own national
interest, which she felt required TIC
Of $4,000 tons OF sub
instead of the $1,000 SIZE would
have under the American plan.
The Japanese, however. are In conf
with Toxic, and 1t was de-
clared for them that they did not con-
sider that the last word had been
spoken. They were described as hope
full for an ultimate agreement that would
include all classes OF naval craft.
1--WE are not aiding France" said
y;ce-Foreign Minister Hanihara OF the
Japanese delegation tonight. I'VE
adhere to the original American proposal
which gives Japan $4,000 tons Of sub
marines. We do not care what England
and France may have In submarines.
The question now is whether we are
ready to come into some new arrange
rhent"
When asked whether japan was will
ing to reduce her allotment OF sub
ma rines, "if It is necessary In the inter-
est Of compromise" he replied.
.'That remains to be seen. l cannot
commit myself now"