The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-17

NEAR One
AGREEMENT
But New Difficulties
Have Been Encount-
cred in Discussions
Of Far East Question
japanese to Re-
tain Mutsu

Washington, Dec. IA (Ry the IS
sociated Press).-The arms con-
ference delegates have reached an
agreement on all the major issues
of the naval ratio but are encoun-
tering new difficulties in their dis
cussions on the Far East.
The American 5-5-3 ratio forms
the basis of the naval settlement,
but there are to be readjustments
in the original American plan to
permit Japan to retain her new bat
tleship Mutsu. The United States
and Great Britain will be given a
quota of additional
ships not yet determined in detail.
In the Far Eastern negotiations
the latest element Of controversy
is a. request by China for abroga-
ton of the treaties resulting from
Japan's famous -"'twenty-one de-
mands." When the request was
presented to the Far Eastern COM
mittee Of the whole today the Jap
anese promptly objected and the
committee adjourned Coming at a
time when the Shantung negotia-
tons are at a critical stage, the
Chinese abrogation proposal has
somewhat beclouded the prospects
for a Far Eastern agreement but
most Of the delegates remain con-
fdent of an ultimate solution.
Another meeting of the big
three" late today advanced the ma
val question nearer to the point
of a final and detailed settlement
but left some minor points still to
be determined. In all quarters an
nouncement of a complete record
was regarded only as a question of
hours.
AS an offset TO japanese reten-
ton OF the Mutsu, the United States
is to retain the superdreadnaughts
Washington and Colorado, and an
equivalent increase in British cap
ital tonnage is f. be provided. The
details of this%British increase con-
stitute the only point still to be de-
cided.
Coupled with the naval agree
ment in the proposed treaty will. be
a status quo" understanding on
Pacific fortifcations and naval ba-
ses, exclusive of Hawaii and the
islands off the japanese, Australian
and New Zealand coasts. The plan
means abandonment of the Amer
lean island of Guam as a potential
naval base. Temporarily the na-
val question is receiving majority
attention from the arms delegates,
bat there were indications today
that the increasing seriousness of
the Far Eastern differences might
soon require the potential figures
of the conference to turn their ef-
forts to that direction.
China's request for abrosation Of
the "twenty-one demands treaties
was coupled with a suggestion that
tie powers also take some definite
and formal step toward abolition
OF existing spheres Of influence
IN the Far East. There was no dis
cussion in the committee but it was
evident tonight that the japanese
would not stand alone in opposing
the abrogation proposal.
In the Shantung conversations.
the present point Of controversy is
the compensation that China is to
give for Japanese improvements on
the Kiaochok railroad. The Jap
anese have asked for instructions
from Tokyo, but subject to favor
able response from their govern
nent offered today to withdraw
from the railroad in the event OF
a satisfactory compensation ar
rangcment.
In the view Of some of the Chi
nese delegates the financial guar
antees desired by Japan as a con-
dition of her withdrawal amount to
virtual perpetuafIon Of japanese
control over the road. The sug-
gcstion has been made in some
quarters that new big four
composed of heads Of the Amerl-
can. British. japanese and Chinese
delegations be asked 10 take the
question under adviSement.
France will ask for an allotment
of $4,000 tons Of capital ships and
proportionate percentages IN small
or classes wher the question OF the
French and Italian navics is taken
up possibly tomorrow or Friday by
the recently appointed naval com
mittee Of 15. This was disclosed
authorita1ively tonight by spokes-
man from the French delegation.
The French thesis takes the pro-
gram adopted by the French par
lament in 1912 which. had it been
would have given a feet
now OF 10000 tons. The war
caused the program to be abandon
ed. The present requirements OF
Franco it will be represented. are
both in the remote Pacific and con-
tinental, the defense in Europe Gov
ering two naval fronts. the Allan
tic and the Mediterranean. Com
with Algeria, it also is
held by the French, would be Of vi
tai importance in war because Of
the necessity of Transporting troops
and supplies freely. These reasons
it is expressed. VIII be developed in
detail by Vice ADJ liral de Bon and
his French colleagues on the COM
mittee.
The French delegates have as
sumed. their spokesman said. theE
will not encounter a spirit of die
tation respecting what are consid-
cred to be European requirements
!. / Il l,