Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-19
CHINESE PROBLEMS
WILL COME FIRST
At ARMS MEETING

nese acceptance of the proposals of
the Chinese delegation as the 'basis
of discussion in committee" by the
Pacific and Far Eastern conference,
was announced Thursday by Baron
Kato, heading the Japanese group.
The baron said he had no objection
to accepting the Chinese proposals
in principle for that purpose.
Discussion Of the Far Eastern
problems, which for the moment are
in the foreground of the arms con
ference, were advanced by the big
nine Thursday to the point Of an
agreement that gene exchange
of views on China's program should
precede any consideration OF speclflc
points. Such a general presentation
of views Japan was unprepared 10
make, and the big nine adjourned
until Saturday.
Meantime Japan made known for
mally her desire to modify the Amer
lean plan of naval limitation so as
to give her slightly greater" rela-
tive strength and the opposition of
the British to the submarine quota
suggested by the United States gave
evidence of such determination as to
attract the attention of the whole
body of delegates.
Heads of the delegation Of the
mine powers participating in discus
sion of Far Eastern questions
at a meeting Thursday decided to
proceed first with the consideration
! of problems relating to China before
entering upon other Far Eastern
questions.
The other questions, it was decld-
ed, will be taken up in the order
listed on the tentative agenda sug-
oasted some time ago by the
American government. Admiral Ba-
ron Kato, on behalf of the Japanese
delegation, asked and received a de-
Law of several days to allow exam
nation of teh proposals submitted
yesterday by China. =.
The meeting of the "big nine"
was adjourned until Saturday be-
| cause of the illness of Baron Shlde-
hara, the Japanese member. 1t was
indicated today that Premier BRAND,
of France, probably would address
| the conference in plenary session
next week on the question OF land
ornaments, as he plans to sail Tor
home about November 25.
Submarine Question
Great Britain's antipathy to SUB
marines as a naval weapon still
looms today as the outstanding point
of disagreement between the British
and American points of view In con-
nection with future restricted naval
programs.
The submarine question Is being
stressed beyond any other in unoffl-
cial discussion in conference circles
and views Of the two powers are so
far apart that it seems likely eX'
tended consideration must be given
before a mutual agreement can be
reached.
In the British view, submarines
should be abolished entirely as an
improper naval weapon. A wide
range of subjects has been covered
to support that position.
In the American view submarines,
properly used, are as legitimate
naval weapon as battleships. NO
British argument yet presented has
shaken that conviction, as far as can
be told.
The British delegation, apparently
does not expect an agreement 10
abandon submarines. There is MOTH
ing to indicate that it has presented
or will present any such proposal
in a formal way. Failing that, how
ever, the British will advance pro-
iect to limit the United States and
Great Britain to probably $4,000 tons
in submarines instead Of the 10000
tons each, proposed by the United
States. Coupled with the proposal
will be a formal suggestion to limit
the size of individual submarines,
perhaps to ESQ tons.
The American view point rejects
Immediately both these suggestions.
After the meeting Of the big nine
the following statement was issued:
Official COmmunique
"a meeting was held this morning
at the Pan-American building Of the
subcommittee appointed to outline
a course of procedure for the discus
sion of the Pacific and Far Eastern
questions on the part of the full
committee of the delegates appoint
ed by the conference to deal with
those subjects. The subcommittee,
consisting of the heads of the dele
cations of the powers participating
in the discussions Of the Pacific and
Far Eastern questions, decided to
recommend that at meeting of the
full committee of the delegates there
should be first an opportunity for a
general discussion of the questions
relating to China and then there
should be a discussion of the Var1-
Gus particular topics in the order
listed in the tentative agenda which
has been suggested by the American
government, with a consideration of
the proposals submitted on behalf of
the Chinese delegation in connection
with the appropriate heads to which
the several proposals relate. The
subcommittee then adjourned. The
full committee is to be convened at
a time found to be convenient for
the members of the delegations"
The effect of the decision to per
NIT first a general discussion of
Chinese problems will be, it was said,
to develop the general policies upon
which the various nations expect to
base their part of the negotiations.
The delegation heads are understood
to have agreed that such a delinea
ton of policy all the way around |
the table would be the best means of |
facilitating discussions Of particular |
topics When they are reached.
Whether all of the nations will |
take advantage i he opportunity |
thus to develop their views, how
ever, was not apparent, and it was |
suggested that some of the national |
view points might not be fully re-
vealed until discussions of the de- [
tailed topics are in progress. 1t has |
been the apparent purpose of one or
frr,o Of AL 30
let their respective policies be devel-
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