The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-12-03
AGREEMENT ON
NAVAL PACT IS
WITHIN SIGHT.
JAPANESE WANT TO
RETAIN THE MATSUI
No Japanese Intention to
Wreck Arms Farley Is
Again Asserted.

Washington. Dec. 2.-(By the Asso-
ciatrd Press Japan and tho United
States appeared 10 night to be approach
Ing an agreement on the question or
naval ratio.
After a conference between Secretary
Hughes Admiral Baron kato and Ar
thur J. Balfour. the Japanese delegates
began communicating with Toxic pre-
sumahly submitting 10 their home gov
ern,nent some new phase OF the nego-
tiations.
Baron Kato said in replying 10 aues-
tioncrs. II cannot divulge anything that
vas brought up at today's conference
But from elsewhere came lntimatlons
that possibly the question OF American
fortincations in the Pacific. and pos
s!by the Japanese ambition to retain
The surer-dreadnaught Mutsu had en-
tered into the new development,
would Rstin tho Mutsu.
Unofficial Japanese accompanying the
delegation 10 the Washington conference
nut forward the suggestion that II
Japan were permitted 10 retain the
Nutsu. and the American government
agreed not 70 further fortify It's Paclnc
bases. the Japanese deet would have IN
effect a rating Of 6J 10 66 per cent In
steady Of the 60 per cent allowed by the
American proposals.
Sunporting this view. inasmuch as II
relates 10 the question of fortihcations
came this authorItive outline Of the
Iapapse position. from more otficia!
source:
"In Japanese minds strong fortihca-
lions near the home soil give cause Tor
anxiety. because the Japanese mlEh'
/ want 70 know the reasons for them. II
them they are closely connected Win
the question OF the national defense
lust as Is the question OF Definite un-
derstandInE concerning the Far East be.
/ tween the United States, Japan and
/ Great rBItair."
Referred to Toxic.
There were no expression from the
authorized spokesmen OF any group 70
! Indicate how far these views represent
ed the results OF today's proceedings
| All the delegation leaders stood nrm or
the official announcement that no com
ment can be made at This time
II was pointed out by unohlc'a
Jaranese that whatever may have peer
! rrnposed at todays meeting had to pe
! r.rarred 10 rokio because the japanese
! delegates do not have plenipo;entiary
mowers ard because the Toxic govern
! ment would nrel to consider the situa
; tion as IL may affect the existing MN
Istrv. The whole development. however
was represented by delegation spokes'
men as justiry!ng optimism. One, othef
than the japanese, characterized the sl'.
nation az most favorable ana auoeo
| that today's conference was one or the
mos, important held.
Not wrocksrs.
| In behalf Of the japanese. furthei
no!ut was emphasized in this way
"Jaran has no intention I" wreck th'
conference At the same limo japan
must satisfy tho demands Of the empire
that tho national defense shall I've ACE
ouate. Tho problem IS t" harmonic
,resc two clear issues. and II Is M
nrohIcm Immediately confronting Al
mirsl Kato. Japan Is striving TO seol'
tho naval question on IN" basis or CON
sidorations Of national defense alone
! There Is no desire or intention 10 par
gain on the question. or I" seem 10 o.
giving up the position on the ratio II
nxrhange for some advantage else
| where"
Indications are that the next move