Tokio, Feb. 7.
In the House of Representatives to-day, introducing the Government resolution for Army reorganization, Mr. Coka, one of the leaders of the Seiyukai party, said that his object was not the reduction of military strength for national defence, but reorganization to promote economy and to lessen the heavy burden and enhance cultural enterprise, while consistent with Japan's prestige as a great Power and the heavy responsibility of maintaining peace in East Asia.
Mr. Inukai, leader of theKokuminto Opposition Party, introduced a resolution cutting the Infantry Divisions by half and also reducing conscription service from the present two years to one year while doubling the soldiers' pay, which would result in a net annual saving of about Y.35,000,000. He advocated the amelioration of the harshness of the present barrack life, which would remove the present aversion to military service and thus enhance morale.
The leader of the Kenseikai Party spoke in favour of retrenchment, though not-of such a radical nature as that suggested by the Kokuminto leader.
The resolutions were referred to a committee.
Lieut.-General Yamanashi, the Minister of War objected to the proposals on technical grounds but indicated his willingness to discuss the problem frankly.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.