Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-23
Wakatsuki, However, Fails
to Present Technical Needs
of His Country at ParIey'S
First Business Meeting.
FRENCH AND ITALIANS
RESTATE THEIR WANTS
Closed Session Reported Satisfsc-
tory by All Delegations-Stim-
SON Declines to Present Americas
Requirements, but Makes Gen.
eral Statement.
d. the AssocIated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, January 23.-Reijiro
Wakatsuki, former premier of
Japan, speaking at the Five-Power
Conference for Japan today, de-
clared that it was desirable for
the powers to reach an agreement
about auxiliary craft on a new
basis, but did not definitely out
line the technical needs of his
country in naval power.
His reference to an agreement
On auxiliary craft on a new basis
embodied his recent statements
that Japan would demand 20 per
cent of the maximum cruiser
strength Of the strongest naval
power.
He said that the conference
aimed at world peace and at re-
lieving peoples from growing tax
burdens. Affirming that interna-
tional suspicion must be done
away with, he declared that Japan
was no menace to any nation, and
consequently would not permit
herself to be nenaced.
After this mornings meeting the big
i've, comprised Of the heads of the
American. British. japanese. French
and Italian delegations. we're summoned
to number 10 Downing street for a con-
sultation. The meeting was regarded
as perhaps the most important gather
ing since the coryenins Of the con-
ference on Tuesday,
Meeting in a friendly and helpful at
naosphere, the delegates 70 the confer
ef1ce outlined their national viewpoints
briefly At the first working session to-
day and then resumed their private
conversations seeking solutions Of the
various outstanding problems before
them.
France and Italy In Spotlight.
France and Italy shared the spot
light at the session, which was held in
the Queen Anne's drawing room OF st
James Palace, with the public ex-
ciuded.
The confreres exchanged national
viewpoints, with the unsettled details Of
Anglo-American parity and many other
vital topics thrust into the background
while France outlined again her claim
to a greater place in the naval world
and italy repeated her aspirations FOL
parity with her French neighbor
The representatives of all the partici'
pating governments, including the Brit
ish dominions, spoke briefly.
Henry L. Stimson. the American Sec
rotary Of State, said that he would not
expand at the present time upon Amer
lean naval needs, as 1t was well under
stood that the United States was look
ing to the conference for as much ac'
tual reduction as possible. The Secre'
tary said:
AFTER careful consideration and con.
sultation with my colleagues have de-
cided not to make any statement today
as to the naval requirements of America
I do not think that to do so would par
ticularly assist our deliberations. These
requirements are well understood. They
have been carefully recognized by thu
nation which is our host, which ha'
through its prime minister agreed witf
us that equality in naval power between
us is the basis upon which we can bes
promote the benefcent purposes OF thu
conference.
I'VE also believe that the require
fnerlts for national defense on the par
of the various nations of the world ar
necessarily largely relative on the gen
eral condition of the world and. there
fore, II this conference can find wa.
bv which general reduction can be Sc
cured our own Navy can likewise b.
reduced.
while this is our attitude, We shall
gladly listen to any statements Whlcl
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