Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-28
BY GLENN BABB.

the washington ana Lonoon naval
treaties come to an end.
That date falls IKE curtain be-
fore future full of anxious questions
for the great naval powers which turn
largely on what Japan will do.
It was Japan that denounced the
Washington treaty, last December 49,
because it did not give her equality
with the United States and Great
Britain: and the doubts concerning
the future center about how Japan
will pursue her purpose to attain
that equality.
Admiral Mineo OSumi, minister OF
the navy, who probably knows more
of what lies behind that curtain than
any man living, resolutely declines
10 draw it, but in spite Of his knowl-
edge of what is likely to happen after
1896, he processes to be an optimist.
Farley Seals Lips.
Will there be a naval race, espe-
cially between Japan and America.
after 1896? Will Japan begin the
replacement of her nine battleships
when the Washington treaty expires?
Is it true that the Japanese Navy
has a new "replenishment program,
under which it will construct an
nually about $4,000 tons of warships,
beginning in 1887? Is Japan plan
ming to achieve parity with the United
States-which she is demanding as an
indispensable provision of any new
naval treaty-by building If she can
not obtain it by treaty?
The admiraPs reply to these ques-
tons invariably was: Il do not wish
to discuss any question which pre-
supposes the failure of the confer
ence." He referred to the naval con-
ference which the signatories OF the
Washington conference agreed to hold
in 1895, and which he processes to be-
Ieve still will be held.
Il have been asked all those ques-
lions in our Parliament" Admiral
Osumi added, land my answer there
has always been the same"
Only brief flashes of the Japanese
navy's grim attitude-its unwavering
determination to attain equality with
the greatest naval powers-came
through the curtain Admiral Osumi
drew before the possibly ominous fu-
ture. He was reminded that in the
Diet he had said the Japanese people
must be prepared to cope with any
future naval situation even If we
are reduced to eating rice Cruel" He
laughed. THAT must not be taken
too literally" he explained. ut is
one of our Japanese figures Of speech.
I did not mean that we actually
should come to such pass, and I
said further that we must do every
thing in our power to prevent such
an emergency.
But" he added, as the smile faded
momentarily, IT did mean to give ex-
preston to the inf1exible determine
ton of our navy and our people"
Hopes for Support.
ct do not believe the forthcoming
conference will fall" he continued,
expressing the hope that America,
England and other powers will even
tually appreciate the sincerity Of our
motives and give us their unstinted
support"
What he wants the other powers to
support is Japan's program for a new
naval treaty: Parity, assigning to all
powers "a common upper limit of
fighting strength" fixing this upper
limit as low as possible; the abolition
or drastic reduction of those units
characterized by formidable offensive
power so as to render defense effec-
tive and offense difficult"
This is our firm faith and will be
the governing principle Of our atti-
tude in the coming naval conference.
Being convinced of the impossibility
of reaching a just and fair agreement
unless the parties approach each other
in such a spirit, we must firmly insist
on our position"
Inundated Isles Problem.
There have been speculations abroad
as to whether Japan is fortifying her
Pacific mandate islands-the Mar
sfialls, Carolines and Ladrones-or
constructing harbor works there for
naval purposes in contravention OF
the -fortification provisions of her
League of Nations mandate. There
also have been suggestions that Japan
might be required to relinquish these
islands on her secession from the
League, which became effective on
March %. Admiral Osumi's negative
on all these points was equally force
full.
1T has never entered my mind that
we should relinquish the islands, or
that we should fortify them, or that
we seek the consent Of the League for
such a purpose" he declared.
The part these islands may play IN
the development of trans-Pacific air
ways is still to be determined, Ad-
miral Osumi continued. Lying, as
they do, athwart the direct routes be-
tween California, Hawaii and the
Philippines, they occupy an important
strategical position in the PACING, SO
much so that the japanese Navy has
come to refer to them as Japan's life
Nne"-frontier of defense-at sea
Admiral Osumi, however. indicated
that how far these islands may be
opened to the peaceful air traffic OF
other nations is a subject under study
t''by our civilian authorities" He en-
Ephasized that such questions come I'M
der control of the ministries of COM
smunications and overseas affairs, out
side the Nays province.