Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-05
JAPANESE: ANDU.S.
SEEN IN PASSE
40 Per Cent Superiority Held
.rreducibIe Minimum Fixed
by Americans.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE,
STAFF Correspondent of The Star
BY Cable to The Star,

STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
BY Cable to The Star.
LONDON, February 5.-America and
Japan at last have come to grips at
the London Naval Conference. During
two hours of courteous but plain talk
| ing, at Secretary of State Stimson'S
conference at the Ritz Hotel, yesterday
afternoon, each government laid down
its position.
Japan now knows that, in addition
to equality with Great Britain, the
United States has another irreducible
minimum. 1t consists of strict main
tenance of 40 per cent superiority in
naval strength over Japan. In other
words, the perpetuation of the 10-6
ratio. The Japanese were told that
their desire for a 10-7 ratio, particu-
larly in the category of 10000-ton,
8-inch gun cruisers, is practically
unbeatable from the American stand
point.
Undoubtedly. the American japanese
conference. which was the first of any
real Importance yet to have taken place
between the two delegations, marks one
of the turning points of the conference
Secretary Stimson, Ambassador Morrow
and Senator Reed were the spokesman
for the United States. Former Premier
Wakatsuki, Admiral Takarabe and AM
bassador MatSudaira represented Japan.
Senator Reed was assigned to do
most of the talking on behalf of the
United States. The Japanese delegation
has been allotted the Pennsylvania as
his more or less special field at London.
Ambassador Matsudaira because of his
fluent knowledge of English and per-
sonal acquaintance with the American
delegates, functioned as the chief
mouthpiece Of Japan.
Insist on Margin.
The japanese delegates were assured
that American public opinion-on
which Stimson and his colleagues al
ways keep an eye peeled-is not pre-
pared to look with favor upon the pro-
strength. Japan's readiness to 'go the
limit in reduction is appreciated and
fully shared by the United States, the
American delegates explained. but to
satisfy the American people such re-
duction always would have to provide
for 20 per cent margin in the favor
Of the United States.
The japanese delegation was re-
minded that the United States, in the
Washington treaty of 1922 agreed to
cease all work on her naval bases in the
and unprotected This was done for the
special purpose of reassuring Japan,
the Americans pointed out. American
confidence in Japans peaceful inten-
tons, Reed explained, is just as strong
today as it was eight years ago, but
to sustain that confidence, the United
States feels entitled to ask preservation
Of the 10-6 status.
Ambassador Matsudaira argued force
nj iclo To
has put forward publicly and still ad-
vocates tenaciouSly. These call for a
10-7 quota of any and all cruiser,
destroyer and submarine ALLEGATIONS
made to America and Great Britain.
The japanese especially demand 10 per
cent of whatever big cruiser tonnage
eventually is assigned to the United
States.
Japan's delegates recalled that at the
Washington conference the japanese
suggested much lower standard than
l0,000-ton, eight-inch gun cruisers, but
had to yield under American and Brit
iSh pressure. Japan would welcome a
drastic cut in the size of cruisers and
even hopes this may be one Of the con-
crete results of the London Conference.
But no matter how large or small the
largest types of cruisers shall be in the
future, the Japanese want of them
to every 10 built by the United States.
Would Affect Far East.
The American delegates did not fail
during the prot1 acted discussion with
the japanese to stress the Far Eastern
naval base situation. What they said
amounts to notice that if Japan insists
on raising the auxiliary craft ratio from
1915 to l0-7. she automatically will
reopen the whole Pacific Ocean fortifica-
| ton question. She would compel the
United States forthwith to reconsider
| the advisability of turning Manila and
Guam into first-class protected bases
as the inevitable reply to increased
| japanese naval power
! How far this principal American ar
gument against Japan's l0-7 demand
| impressed WakatSuki, Takarabe anC