Pueblo chieftain., 1921-12-12
JAPAN NOT TO
MAKE DEFINITE
STAND AT ONCE
Idea Prevails That More
Conferences Needed
To Fix Point

w ashington, d. c., Dec. 11.-(By The
Associated Pressl-Instructions from
Ioklo regarding the decision of Japan
on the naval ratio question are in the
hanuS OF the Japanese delegation. The
nature of the communication was not
made known but 1t was indica ted that
fnrther meetings of the big three prob
sp'E would be necessary before Japan's
stand on the 5-5-3 capital ship ratio
VIII be announced definitely.
The idea prevailed tonight that To-
kio did not regard the arrangement as
to strength of naval bases and fortifi
cations in the western Pacific as COM
pleted and that further conversations
on this point as well as on the oues-
tion of retention of the ma tier may be
necessary.
Washington, D. C.. Dec. 11.-tBy The
Associated Pres)-Tith the four
power treaty In final form and an
agreement on naval ratio regarded as
practically assured the arms confer
ence goes into its fifth week with itg
principals confident they can finish
their major duties here by January.
froblems of the Far East and details
OF the naval reduction program, in
Guiding the question of Pacific islands
tortifications and naval bssos now be
comes the subjects of primary consid-
GRAFTON. The Far Eastern dis
the foreign capitals and whilc the sep
arate negotiations over ShantupE and
zap are verging toward decision.
Atno there are indications that
japan is about ready to accept tho
American 5-5-S naval ratio it is not
considered unlikely that she may re-
tra1n from committing herself definite
ly until there is q clearer understand
ing about future Qualifications on the
Pacitic' There has been a general IN
outstanding that the powers arr
willing to assent 10 an Arrangement by
which all present defsnses In the Pa
chic would be retained but none added
but the question is yet to be made tn
subject of formal exchanges.
Inrther instructions from Toxic
were received today by the japanese.
lheir nature was not revealed but
there were evidences that the Jap
7n"So were preparing TO canvass tho
situation relative to Pacific bases be
iore going on with naval discussions
If" two subjects have long been re-
garded by Japan. as inseparablo and
her desire to disposc OF both together
is not regarded as a serious barrier
to a. ratio agreement Tho negotis-
tons ON China. altho proceeding
separately also are receiving the care
ful attention OF the Japanese while
the naval question Is in allegiance and
there have been some hints that they
would prefer TO sec decision in that
quarter also before they may make
their acceptance of tho 5-5-3 final
and binding. II If tho general capec-
tstion that tho result of the Far
Eastern discussions will be an united
declaration Of policy by tho nine ma
tions embodyins tho -four points" of
Elihu Root and making such specific
application Of them as may he found
possible Such q declaration. a part
of which wns given official sanction
by the nine nations yesterday 1t was
expected would finally take the form
of "gsntleman'H understanding
Some plenipotentiaries. however, want
TO write It into a treaty and a decis-
ion on that potut is to he reached.
Afterward n similar declaration may
he made on Siberia but it i- possibl.
'hat separate pronounccment on
that subject nov understood to be
contemplated hy Japan may be ac-
copied as sufficient
When the four power Pacific treaty
IL to h" signed hv the representative.
Of tho United states. Grea, Britain.
Japan and France stitl Is not known,
II ~ the Impression among some dele
gates. however, that tho formal Gig
natur" may be delayed until tho naval
problem w settled and that Presiden.