The New York herald., 1922-01-15

frequently used such phrases as CON
nict OF interests. supremacy of the
seas and 'menacing aggressions.' To-
day they are talking more in terms Of
understanding accord and 'ooopera-
tion.' and the principal criticism OF
Japan nowadays is that she does not
agree quite as quickly as you make pro-
possls for accord.
Nor is this. my friends. only phrase
ology. Critics may say that such dec
larations as we have been making at
Washington were made hundred years
ago at Vienna. and subsequently at The
Hague, and therefore will amount to
nothing. But that Is not the case, for
very different reasons. In the first place.
the several nations represented in WASH
ington have given. by the concessions
they have made to the views OF others
tangible demonstrations of the earnest
ness OF their intentions. Unless tho
spirit that actuates the people of thes
nations were deep rooted In sincere
desire. these concessions would not have
been possible.
Fortunately. the interests and the
desires OF the greater nations OF the
world are in accord. otherwise tn
scrapplng OF hundreds OF thousands Of
tons OF fighting ships would not be
practicable or acceptable.
Il want particularly 10 draw your at
tention to one fact. An effort has been
made for number of years to present
Japan TO you as a military nation de-
signing to dominate the Pacific. Some
OF US Japanese have tried to disabuse
the minds of those who were wont to
believe this calumny, but with many the
charge remained unrefuted up to the
present conference. Within these recent
weeks. Japan. by accepting the 5-5-3
ratio, has given evidence which only the
weak minded will In future dispute, and
at the same time this ratio is also as
surance that you have no intention Of
assaulting US.
I'VE have never aspired or Intended
TO challenge the security of America or
her far ranging possessions; We have
sought only security for ourselves.
Never have We desired war--certainly
never a conflict with the nation that Is
the greatest purchaser OF our goods and
at the same time the most powerful
naval factor on the Pacific"
Admiral Kato declared that the naval
agreement to limit the construction Of
offensive or capital ships, although II
does not totally destroy the physical
equipment for war at sea, does effec-
lively remove from the relations of the
great naval Powers the distrust attend
ant on naval competition. This means,
he said, not only economic relief rom
heavy burden Of taxation, but an even
more important spiritual relief This
revival OF decency in the world" he
added. 'is strengthened by the adoption
of laws governing the use of submarines,
the decision Of the nations not to de-
velop their Pacific bases and the evil
dent determination generally to restrict
arms and the threat of arms.
Baron kato said the conference dele
tions discovered they were in substan-
tial agreement on justice to China and
on her right to develop her Government
without outside interference. IL needed
no argument, he said, to men who will
be reasonable that the best interests
of Japan will be served by an independ-
ent, orderly and well governed China
for such China will supply the raw
materials essential to Japan's life, will
possess the means OF purchasing Japa-
nese products and will be secure from
the menace OF foreign attacks"
But there Is n word of warning
that should be spoken" he added. THE
difficulties in China cannot be cleared
away in a day. In spite of the hopes
Of her friends. among whom we count
ourselves. the work to be done Is so vast
that the problem OF 1t may be with us
For decades. But always remember that
China's misfortunes are not caused by
japan, even though the effort has been