Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
StimSon, However, Declares
Nation Would Accept Har-
moniouS Reduction.
6-YEAR BUILDING HOLIDAY
ADVOCATED BY JAPANESE
Extension of Age Limit Also May
Be Offered as Means Of
Effecting Cut.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Retention OF the battleship as the
keystone of the American naval feet
will be a policy of the American dele
cation to the London naval conference
next month.
Secretary Stimson said yesterday that
he was one Of those who believed that
capital ships were still the core Of a
fighting sea feet. but that the United
States would approve a reduction in
capital ships in the event this was
agreeable to the other sea powers, Great
Britain, Japan, France and Italy.
Although Stimson did not go into de-
tails regarding the method to attain re-
duction in this category of vessels which
the Uni&ed States would support, 1t was
the impression in official circles that
the United States would favor the
Japanese desire for a postponement Of
replacements until 1886.
Japan Favors Holiday.
Former Premier Reijiro Wakatsuki,
chief Japanese delegation to the con-
ington where the Japanese delegates
conferred with American officials this
week, that Japan would back a pro-
posal at the conference for complete
holiday in requirements of capital ships,
as provided in the Washington arms
treaty.
Another method for reduction in cap
ital ships would be by an extension of
their age-limit from 20 to Is years and
a reduction in the tonnage limit. now
$4,000 tons, as provided in the Wash
ington treaty, to $4,000 tons. This
method, however, would not have to be
considered in the event that the Japa-
neSe plan for building holiday was
adopted at the conference. In that
case, no ships would have to be built
before 1886, when another conference
will meet to consider again the diSarm-
ament question.
Commenting on the French desires to
have the work of the London confer
ence closely linked with the League Of
Nations, Stimson explained that it has
been a policy of the American Govern
ment that American naval problems are
separate and distinct from the League.
He said that reduction in the sea
forces was hoped for as a result of the
conference. in order to fulfill the pur-
pose Of the parley, which he described
as the elimination of international fric-
ton by the hating of competition in
naval building.
Action Would Be Binding.
Official circles view the possible
agreement Of the London conference to
be a final one so far as the United
that naval agreement along the lines
now planned should be taken by the
League preparatory disarmament COM
mission as a settlement of this phase of
the disarmament question. with land
and sea disarmament to be considered
from that point.
The appreciation Of the Japanese
delegation for the courtesy extended to
them by the United States Government
during their visit to Washington was
expressed by Mr.. Wakatsuki In a tele-
gram to Secretary Stimson.
las We are about to embark for Lon
don l wish to tender our most sincere
thanks" the telegram said, for the
courtesy and hospitality you have ac-
corded us in Washington. We appreci-
ate especially having had the opportu-
nifty to exchange views with your excel
lency and your colleagues with open
mind and we feel that our visit to
Washington was most profitable. We
are keenly sensitive of the friendly
greetings, special attention and facilities
extended to us by officials and private
citizens of the United States throughout
our journey across the continent.
Please convey to the President on be-
half of my party and myself expressions
of our gratitude and high regards. Ad-
miral and Nine. Takerabe join me in
greeting and thanking you personally
and most cordially"