New-York tribune., 1921-11-15
Counter Plan Expected to
Ask Reduction at Naval.
Base on Guam and In
the Philippine Islands
Will Await Action
By Great Britain
Considered Likely That
Oriental Questions May
Involve British Alliance
By Thomas Steep

WASHINGTON, Nov. IA Before
Japan's definite and final answer is
given to Secretary Hughes's proposal for
ten-year holiday in navy building she
will await instructions from Toxic,
with the prospect that some collateral
plan for limitation Of Notifications
in the Pacific islands of both countries
will emanate from the Mikados govern
ment
Together with the intimation that
"some time, possibly weeks" may
elapse before Japanese naval experts
are prepared to advise their govern
ment definitely as to the acceptability
of the Hughes proposal, it was said at
the Japanese delegates headquarters
to-day that Japan's acquiescence in the
proposal as "a favorable basis for dis
cussion" does not preclude her from
offering further suggestions, or. even a
counter proposal, if she deems fit
Opinion prevails that the Japanese,
having concurred in the proposal in
principle, will now wait to learn
whether Great Britain will offer any
notifications when it comes to work
ing out details. Public sentiment in
Japan holds strongly to the belief that
the Mikado's government must insist
that America shall reduce her fortif-
cations in Guam, Hawaii and the Phil
ippines as concomitant of naval re-
duction. Whether this sentiment will
Gel 10 I'D kI@
Japanese delegates remains for develop
.ment. At any rate a Japanese lobby
already is actively functioning here
to bring about reduction of those
Notifications and to make that one of
the conditions of naval limitation.
Anglo-Japanese Pact Involved
Meantime, the Chinese dragon, in the
shape of the Far Eastern question,
loomed up among the conference dele
gates to-day with every indication that
it is about to precipitate momentous
issues. 1t threatens to involve the ex-
istence of the Anglo-Japanese alliance
Pressure is being brought by China
not only for the abrogation of the
Anglo-Japanese alliance, which she con-
siders detrimental to her commercial
expansion, but also for the recognition
of her numerous. claims, including the
4OoCOI oeAVA VI AAdO~Cudu duu tuc T6ll-
road and mining properties in Shan
tung, taken by the Germans in 1893
and by Japan in 1914.
The subject of the Anglo-Japanese
alliance came prominently to the fore
to-day. Among the foremost of those
opposing the continuance of the pact
is DR.. Alfred SEE, the Chinese Minister.
The alliance was originally made in
1902, and on it's expiration in 1911 was
extended for ten years, it being again
Professionally extended upon its second
expiration last June. Opposition to it
has been growing yearly in China.
British merchants in China have re-
ported to their home government that
if the alliance is not abrogated China
will start a trade boycott against
British merchants. On the other hand,
the proponents of the alliance contend
that unless Britain maintained some
agreement with Japan she would have
to keep powerful feet in the Pacific
that Australia and New Zealand would
not be content without such protection
and that India, because of race propin-
guilty, has been coquetting with Japan
in a way which might jeopardize part
Of Britain's Asiatic possessions.
"1n view of Mr.. Hughes's proposal
for naval limitation in the Pacific, now
agreed on in principle by Great Britain
and Japan, the Anglo-Japanese alliance
(ContInued on next psao)s