Evening star., 1921-12-09
ARMS AGREEMENT
|SEXPECTED SOON;
OPEN SESSION NEAR
Announcement of Settlement
of Naval and Other Issues
Awaited Daily.
By the Associated Press.

Awaited Daily.
By the Associated Press.
So encouraging a situation has de-
veloped in the arms negotiations that
some OF the delegates believe an open
session of the conference will be
called early next week to announce
agreement on the 5-5-3 naval ratio
and the quadruple arrangement pro-
posed as a substitute for the Anglo
Japanese alliance.
There are intimations that the ne
gotiations are SO close to a settlement
that some conference officials had ex-
pected an open session today or to-
morrow. While the exact nature of
the forthcoming announcement can
not be forecast, 1t seems probable that
In addition to the naval ratio and the
four-power plan. 1t may embody' some
formal pronouncement of the princi-
Piles on which the conference expects
to limit fortifications and naval bases
in the Pacific.
Naval Bases Problem.
Definite decision on the naval ratio
question Is now believed to hinge on
satisfactory solution of the problem
of naval bases and island fortifica-
tions. The matter of land armaments
on American and British possessions
lying near the Japanese empire has
long been linked in the minds of
Japanese with the possibility OF re-
ducing the Japanese navy.
The japanese delegation while en-
route to the United States intimated
strong enough to cope with any fleet
that any nation could send to the
waters OF the Tar east.
This Is explained as meaning that
Japan does not expect and does not
desire a navy as large as the United
States and Great Britain, but as indi-
eating that naval base along the lit
toral Of Asia should not be 30
strengthened as to afford protection
for a hostile fleet already superior in
numbers to the Japanese.
japanese Satisfied
The Japanese hold that while it is
difficult to determine, even from the
standpoint of an expert, when a
naval base ceases to be defensive and
begins to be offensive in strength,
they do not believe that the existing
bases at the Philippines and Guam
are Of sufficient capacity and power to
serve as adequate concentration sta
tions for the entire American Navy.
The Japanese therefore seek. 1t is
thought, some definite assurance that
there will be no strengthening of the
present bases.
The conversations over the four
mower frPAfv Rain q OF d.
still today. pending receipt of definite
replies from Toxic and Paris but
there was a general feeling of con-
hdence that the deay would not be
long. A partial statement of Tokio's
position has been received by the
Japanese delegates here, and although
its full import is not yet apparent
there is feeling in Japanese circles
that the answer will be favorable.
Four-Power Plan Favored.
Unofficial advices both from the
Japanese and French capitals seem
to forecast acceptance of the four
power plan. provided such other ques-
tions as the naval ratio and fortifica-
tions are solved satisfactorily. Toxic
has not yet sent a final expression of
the ratio question, but one is expect
ed very soon.
Meantime the far eastern negotia-
tions also are taking such form that
an agreement involving all the points
of major importance before TIE con-
ference is not a remote possibility. It
is tho apparent intention. to consum-
mate such an understanding infor-
mally - soon as possible, and then
leave details to be worked out by
,feat -
porated in a series of treaties and
agreements
Some members of the conference
are commenting on what they regard
as an abatement of public interest in
its proceedings, but they believe this
development principally due to the
prolonged negotiations connected
questions, such as extraterritoriality,
post Offices, wireless stations and
movement of troops. One Of the prin-
cipal delegates remarked today that
the various committees were work
ing with the greatest assiduity, and
lie to expect that final results could
be obtained and announced every
day.
Early Session Expected.
One of the spokesmen for the Brit
ish delegation hazarded the opinion
that a plenary session might be held
early next week. but declined ito say
anything" as to the probability Of the
Anal wind-up Of the conference in
the Immediate future.
The rapidly moving arms conference
had reached q point of comparative
pause today. with the far eastern
committee in adjournment until to-
morrow, and the next important step
in the negotiations on naval ratio
and the proposed four-power treaty
apparently waiting on a definite
statement of the attitude of the
Japanese government. Meanwhile.
the Japanese and Chinese delegations
were scheduled to hold another ses-
sion today of their separate confer
ence on the Shantung questions. dis
cussion OF the restoration to China of
the public properties In the Japanese
leasehoid there having been continued
yesterday without final disposition.
NEWBERRY UNDER KNIFE.
Cave for Newberry of Michigan under-