Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-17
CH[NA0FFERS
HER PLEA FOR
THE FAR EAST
Great Britain is Willing to
Drop Alliance For
Triple Pact
U. S. TO BACK STAND
British Will Suggest that U. S. Join
In Agreement to Cover Pacific
Question-May Seek Army Cut.

Washington, Nov. 17.-Principa1
interest in the proceedings OF the
Washington Conference swung today
to the problems of the Far East.
Behind the closed doors of the
committee on Far Eastern affairs
China precipitated the dicussion by
submitting to the other powers a
comprehensive statement of primer
pies upon which she will press her
claims.
simultaneously came the sugges-
tion from British quarters that Great
Britain will not oppose an abroga-
ton of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
but is prepared to suggest in It's
place tripartite arrangement, en-
bracing the United States, Great Brl-
tain and Japan, to cover the Pacific
problem.
There was no session of the Con.
ference as such. Instead its mem
bers confined their attention to the
deliberations of the several commit
tees appointed by the main body to
handle the deals Of the agenda.
Thus, while the committee on Far
Eastern affairs was concerning It
self with the discussion arising over
China's appeal, the subcommittee OF
the committee on naval armament
was preparing to plunge into technl-
cal details of the Hughes proposal.
Today's session Of this committee,
also held behind closed doors, Is
said to have dealt largely with the
general principles involved.
In this connection members OF
Congress, watching from the side
lines, took occasion today to voice
objection to the suggestion made at
the open session of the Conference
Yesterday that there be some modl-
fication of the Hughes program to a
10 year naval holiday.
Another feature of the days de-
yelopments was the suggestion from
responsible quarters that the British
will seek at the proper time to urge
the desirability of limiting land as
we'll as naval forces.
From a different viewpoint the
French delegation is likewise inter
ested in this question. With France,
however. it's Importance arises out OF
her belief that without adequate de-
fense her borders may again be
overrun by her recent foe. rms at
titude was clearly reflected in a
statment made today by Premier
BRAND. r.
Despite the British suggestion for
modification of the 10 year naval
holiday so that one battleshlp per
wear may be constructed and the
building of war ships may not be-
come lost art, this Govrnmnt, II
was authoritatively stated today, Is
not in a position to assent. II VIII
counter with the argument that
necessary repairs will keep the ship,
building industry alive and that
merchant vessel shipyards furnish
facilities for the resumption OF the
constrnction of war vessels when
the time comes.
There appears little prospect OF
any material modification in the
Hughes schedule covering submarine
tonnage. England wants the 9o,o,0o
tons permitted to herself and the
limited States cut to almost half thai
figure, but this country is not expect
Cd to agree. When the United States
in 1919 considered the doing away
with submarines this nation had IN
mind a great battleship fleet. Such
fleet fades from both paper and
sea $ with the adoption Of the Hughes
proposal, and with the fleet liz, ea1 a3onSn- rs
ed the United States Will feei tnal
she requires 10000 tons OF suoma-
rines to guard her long coasts.