The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-21
AMERICAN NAVAL
PROPOSAL COMING
UNDER. PRESSURE
Japanese Think Review of
Naval Status Will EntitIe
Them to a Larger
IN
SO

/ ing OF naval powers Is coming un-
der increasing pressure as the i'm
portant cards of the big diplomatic
game begin to fall.
In the main notifications seem to
| center about the contention that the
| 500 formula which was passed on
/ tonnage alone does not properly rep
resent the proportional strength when
such other elements as speed, cruis-
| ing radius and armament are consid-
cred, ship for ship.
Thus far there has been every
Indication that the American
| group would "stand pats for Its
propOraI for maintaining the ex-
fstlng ratio. but 1t Is declared the
national viewpoints of other ma
lions as to what constitutes
fair basis of comparison will re-
ceivc the recognition MS the con-
| ference proceeds.
| A thorough review of the exact
status of the present naval establish
ments of the three powers which the
Japanese hold Will show Japan's right
] to an increase over the 5-5-3 proper
/ ton, but which American experts de-
! mat Great Britain and the United
/ States each Is entitled to almost a
| two-to-one navy over Japan
The question Ia Understood TO
| have been discussed yesterday be-
| tween secretary hughes, A. j.
BalfOur and ADMIRAL Baron ka-
| to, and In expected to receive con-
alteration very soon mt a meet
ing of the internatio commft-
tee of naval experts appointed TO
site details. by highest author
ity the Associated Press was as
shred tonight that the American
government stood four square be-
hind ITS original proposal TO regu-
uiate limitation by the yard stick
of existing strength and had NO
intention OF making concessions
which would modify that prfnct-
pie. The American delegates do
not want to adopt IA "take-ft-or-
leave-tt. attitude, however, so fnr
ms details are concerned and are
willing to hear the views of amy
power which thinks 1t mny have
been done an injustice.
Thus as the conference swings into
IT'S second week there are increasing
| Indications that the showdown SO far
as the fundamentals OF naval ar
mament agreement are concerned
may be reached speedily. In the far
eastern negotiations. developments
are not moving so rapidly and there
seems to be a growing impression
| that IL details are to be worked out
/ Of
Lnnd Armament
Tomorrow the conference will make
start on still another of it's prop
lens, that of land armament At an
open session Premier BRAND is ex-
pected to present the considerations
| behind Frances present enormous
army outlay and to invite discussion
from the other powers. Italy is said
to be ready to set forth her views In
a general way. and Mr.. Hughes is un-
derstood to be considering brief
statement on behalf OF the United
States.
Despite the divergence of opinion on
some features of the American navel
plan there is evidence of virtually
unanimous confidence in the outcome
Yesterdays conference between Mr..
Hughes, Mr.. Balfour and Baron Kato
was described as essentially cordial,
and among those on the inside it
was declared TO have helped clear the
air of diplomacy that always charac-
terizes the opening days of interna-
tional conferences.
But the far eastern questions which
will reach stage of more detail de-
bate are regarded as lending them
selves less easily to rapid aecisloH.
These deal with things far less tangi-
BILE than battieships, guns and bases
General Lines
1t is said by some delegates who
are giving special study to this branch
of the conference that probably 1t WA
be necessary to deal with the sub
Jects set out in the agenda and with
the ten points of the Chinese PROPOSE
ton on very general lines.
The important statement made by
the Japanese delegates at Saturdays
session Is regarded as showing a
marked indisposition on Japan's part
to go far into details, and the Chi
nese who are pushing specific dec
larations by the conference, are re-
minded that after all Japan came to
the conference after a clear Under
standing with Secretary Hughes that
no nation would be bound by the COM
ference against its will, although all
others were united against IL.
Private Conversations
Private conversations seem 10 be
developing a view that the far east
ern question should be settled by the
Nconference by pure process of elm
nation. M
Some of the American delegates be-
lieve that compromises can be reached
on the debatable propositions. such,
for instance. would be the Chinese ap-
peal for the abolition OF extra terri
torial jurisdiction. There is a pros
pect that provision VIII be made for
this with the understanding that the
change will be made gradually to
conform to the development of mod
ern judicial system in China which
win insure Justice for foreigners.
Finally. the view expressed by some
delegates that the far eastern prob
lens in the end are likely to be dealt
with by the conference not by the
signature of any general treaty. or
rather through a solemn declaration
of principles. the observance of which
nations party to the conferences would
be bound only in honor.