Evening journal., 1922-12-28
JAPAN SCRAPS
EIGHT SHIPS
Hayakawa, Actor, Says Ma
tion Is Gradually
DiSarming
PUBLIC OPINION
FOR REDUCTION

Japan has scrapped eight battle
ships since the Washington disarm.
ament conference. This information
has just been brought from Toxic
by Sessue Hayakawa. Jananese ac-
tor, who arrived i'm Wilmington to-
day. These japanese ships include
some of that country's largest. Mr.
iliayakawa said he was surprised
that the knowledge of this scrap
ping. which had become public in
/ formation in Japan. was not yet
known in this country. He was
prompted to give the information
after reading a recent dispatch from
London telling that Britain had part
ly or totally scrapped sixteen ships
since the conference.
Public opinion in Japan, accord
Ing to Mr.. Hayakawa, is almost uni
versally in favor of the naval reduc-
tion. 1t is the sentiment of all
classes, he said. that the disarmment
will promoe better feeling among
al nations. The reduction is caus-
ing mary naval men to lose their
positions nut by an agreement with
the government they will be re-
tanned in reserve for a period OF ten
years, at one-third their salary at
time of discharge.
sentiment in Japan also, according
to Mr.. Hayskawa. is in sympathy
with the recent return of Shantung
to China. The people felt that main
tenance OF this territory was more Of
a burden than any good It brought to
Japan. Though the province has al
ready been given up. the Manchurian
railway still remains under Japanese
control and further disposition will
not be made OF II until next year.
on reaching this county a few
weeks ago. after spending two
months In Toxic. Mr.. Hayakawa was
surprised 10 learn OF reports that had
been spread here regarding his visit
10 his home. He denied that he was
forced TO seek safety in a submarine
10 escape threatened attacks, made
because he had appeared in villain
Gus roles in American pictures
1T was the work of blackmail-
ers." said Mr.. Hayakawa. "Thev
threatened my life il l would not
give them S2eG,OO0. because they
said I had misrepresented the jap
anese character by branding a girl
in film story with a branding iron.
They were active for about ten days.
after which the authorities got them
under control and they ceased to
bother me.
"Blackmailing Is a fine art in
Japan that you know nothing about
In this country In opposition to this
group OF blackmailers there was an
other that wanted me 10 pay them
for protecting me. The threats OF
the first blackmailers came to me by
cable when l was about three davs
out OF Yokohama. And to offset
these threats. when I arrived a. the
dock, / found not only the Haya-
kawa welcome committee, but also |
The Hayakawa protecting party.
When the protecting party, which /
Included blackmailers of a higher
class. found they could get no money
and that Government officials were
taking care of my visit. they drop
ped their activities.
Except for these slight disturb
lnces, l was received royalty by the
Japanese people after my absence
of fifteen years. Because l gradu-
ated from an American university
and had been in close touch with all
inairs in this country, l was asked /
% make several speeches before au-
iiences in different parts Of the
country.
Il found that there was interest
n America that I had never before
known of, and that the Japanese
people both of the higher and lower
'lasses, were following the progress I
of America with a view TO adopt-
ng American methods in Japan.
Everywhere L went a friendly feel
ng toward America was shown"
Mr.. Hayakawa will make his first
appearance on the English speaking
stage at the Playhouse tomorrow
night in "Tlger Lily"