The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-08
American Delegates Only Ones
Not Talking of 1t.
Program of Four Main Pacts
Now Being Prepared.
TOXIC SENDS JAP ACCEPTANCE
Japan and U. S. to Settle the
Yap Problem.
Four to Hold Future Fate OF
Pacific Nations.

Washington, Dec. S.-The Japanese
government has accepted the proposal
for quadruple understanding in the
! Pacific, an authorized British spokes1
man said today.
The British spokesman said the s.
5-3 ratio proposition with regard to
capital ships was in some way related
to a complete settlement and that this
proposition had not yet been accepted
by the Japanese government
Calling attention to an Associated
Press dispatch from Honolulu quot
ing Japanese newspaper as to ac-
ceptance by the Toxic government of
| the quadruple plan, the British
! spokesman said this was correct and
/ that the Washington conference knew
it to be correct.
| Toxic Sends Acceptance.
A long dispatch was received at
Japanese headquarters here today
from Toxic, and it was authoritatively
stated that it contained permission
for the Toxic delegates to proceed
with the proposed Pacific agreement,
| provided there is a satisfactory aa-
Justment with regard to fortificationE.
The dispatch, it was said. did not
contain instructions regarding the
naval ratio, a.tho these are expected
later.
! Americans Keep Silence.
In British circles. it was stated that
| the new agreement NOulu LOT
| the Anglo-Japanese alliance and the
causes of friction in the Pacific, by
the esta blishment of an entente cor
| dale between the powers chiefly con-
| cerned.
In American official circles, there Is
only silence regarding the Develop
ments in this aspect of the confer
ence. The time is not yet protitious''
according to Secretary of State
Hughes, for the public to be apprised
| of xayt7u hos TfpI. t.
matter.
Despite the puzzling reticence OF
American officials. it is taken for
4 granted that some form of an agree
ment to govern future policies in the
Pacific will be reached. In reply 10
lQuestioners. American spokesmen
point out that this was one of the OBJ
ject which President Harding had in
mind when he called the conferences.
The conference was summoned to
limit armament and reach an agree
ment that would remove the causes
for future wars in the Pacific.
The whole question so far as 1t con-
Germs the United States. is the form
which such an agreement will take
and it is upon this point that Ameri-
can spokesmen decline to speak while
1 British and Japanese spokesmen con-
verse about it more or less freely.
Four Treaties Proposed.
The ground work for the agreement,
| WHdleNeF llS ultfndte character. mas
been laid in the private converse tions
between the members Of the "bl.s
three"-Hughes, Balfour and. Kato-
and not even the American advisers
have been made conversant with its
structure
1t Is regarded as virtually certain
that the work of the conference will
be solidified in the form of four or
five treaties or agreements. One
member of the American delegation
mil
the conference:
/. A treaty between the United
states, Great Britain and Japan and
possibly France, defining future poll
cies I'm the Pacific.
2 A treaty between the United
States and Japan settling for all time
the long disputed question Of zap
3. A treaty between the nine pow
ers governing general principles OF
lpolicy in Chinese matters.
4. A treaty between the nine na-
ltions governing limitation of naval
armament.
Japs Wait Toxic Word.
In japanese quarters today Il was
istated officially that word is momen-
tarily expected from Toxic which will
permit the necessary step in the ne
lgotiation to be taken. 1t is believed
this step will be public pronounce-
iment of the policy on the part OF the
lgreat powers voiced in all proba bi.ity
at plena Y session OF the conference.
marked difference of opinion ez-
listed today in the different delega-
itions regarding the probable expira-
ltion of The conference. 1t was pre-
ldicted in high japanese circles that
the conference would conclude its
main work by Christmas. leaving to
4 council of ambassadors here the
/, tedious task Of gathering up lodss
ends and the adjustment Of details.
Americans Pesslmistic.
| Such hope apparently does not exist
. in American quarters. II was pointed
out that the conference has only nib
: bled" at the Chinese problems. while
Siberia has not been touched at ali
yet. IN addition, it was predicted that
considerable time will be necessary
for the working out Of the auxiliary
ship ratio between the powers after
the 5-5-3 ratio has been accepted.
Both France and Italy are biding
their time on the matter of auxiliary
ships. particularly as regards subma-
rines. and their spokesmen will have
much to say 1t was indicated. when
those subjects are taken up