Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-20
TOXIC ACCEPTANCE
OF ARMS BID URGES
-MINDEDNESS
Continued from First Page.)

forthcoming session Of the preparatory
commission for the disarmament con-
ference at Geneva shall be empowered
to negotiate and to conclude an agree
ment among those five powers for
the limitation Of armament in the
classes Of naval vessels not covered
by the Washington treaty.
Shares American Views.
1.-The Japanese government fully
shares with the American Government
the views expressed in that memoran-
dunn on the desirability of an agree
ment calculated to complete the work
of the Washington conference for the
prevention of competitive naval build
ing. They cordially welcome the
initiative taken by the American Gov
eminent for the institution among the
five powers of negotiations looking to
such desirable end. They will be happy
to take part in these negotiations
through their representatives invested
with full powers to negotiate and to
conclude an agreement on the subject.
I'm view, however, of the supreme
importance of the problem to be dis
cussed and determined, the japanese
government finds it essential that at
least part of the Japanese delega-
ton shall be specially sent from
Toxic. Considering the length Of
time required for the necessary prep
arations, as we'll as for the journey
from Toxic to Geneva, 1t will obvious
ly be impossible for the Japanese rep
resentatives to assist at the negotia-
tons, should that meeting be held
simultaneously with or Immediately
after the forthcoming session of the
preparatory disarmament commission,
scheduled to be opened on March 81
next.
Date After June Proposed.
p Accordingly, the Japanese govern
ment desires that the meeting of the
powers signatories of the Washington
naval treaty now suggested should
take place on a date not earlier than
June l.
1.-THE Japanese government are fur.
Their gratifled to learn that 1t Is not
the intention Of the American Gov
eminent at this time to put forward
rigid proposals on the ratios of naval
strength to be maintained by the
several powers In the classes Of yes
sells not covered by the Washington
treaty. In order to ensure the sue
cess of the proposed negotiations, II
S6GIIlS tiiEAiy AilpoA Idit tAdt Ala lAe
matter of these conditions of the
limitation of armament all parties te
the negotiations should approach the
subject with an open mind, being al
ways guided by the spirit of mutua
accommodation and helpfulness. con
sistent with the defensive require
ments of each nation. The japanese
government confidently hope that an
adjustment will be reached in a man
ner fair and satisfactory to each Of
the participating powers and con
ducive to the general peace and Sc
curity of the world"
Next Step i'm Doubt.
Senator Borah, chairman of the
foreign affairs committee, was among
President Coolidge's callers yesterday
and the arms limitation question was
discussed. but no intimation as t
what was said was given either at the
White House or by the Senator.
So far as known the Washington
Government is keeping an open mint
| as to the next step toward practica
| arms limitations agreements it ma,
| find it expedient to take.
If the replies Of the four majol
naval powers approached by tn
| United States disclose possibilities O
F! agreements of more limited char
acter than was originally contemplat
ed, presumably President Coolidg,
will revert to that condition in tn,
statement he is expected to max,
when all the responses have been re
ceiyed