The New York herald., 1921-12-14
HUGHES EXPECTED TO PROPOSE FRENCH AND ITALIA

that "there will not be more than
fifteen votes against it, or any other
instrument agreed upon by the confer
Snce."
The fact is that aside from the
"Borah bloc" composed of five or six
''irreconcilables"- exact number
being uncertain--there will not be any
Republican opposition. The Demo-
cratic attitude is uncertain for the
moment. Five or six Democrats have
indicated their opposition to confer
ence treaties, but the great majority
OF the representatives of the minority
party are inclined to take philo-
sophical view of the conference under
takings and comfort themselves with
what they describe to be "the vindica-
tion' of their support OF the League OF
Nations.
Some Democratic Senator'S have
made the attempt to obtain an express
sion of opinion from former President
Wilson regarding the "vindication' OF
his reasons for demanding that the
Senate ratify the Versailles treaty, In
GLIDING the league covenant in the
form submitted by him to the Senate.
Wilson Maintains Silence.
Up to the present Mr.. Wilson has
declined TO express his opinion in the
matter. 1t is quite probable he inter-
prets the negotiation Of the Pacific
treaty as confirming his own acts in
seeking to make alliances with groups
OF foreign Powers. This, at least, is the
understanding of Democratic leaders,
who think they have reason to sup
port their views.
SO far as can be determined there
will be no hurry on the part of the
Senate to revise the treaty obligations
assumed by the American Govern
nent In promoting conference under
taiSings. It may be that the Senate
will wait for the completed record OF
the conference before advancing to
consideration of the treaties result
ing from its deliberations.
5 The impression continues that as a
result Of the private parleys going on
among delegates the work Of finishing
tip the programme will be completed
;n comparatively short order. Activi-
ties to-day chiefly related to ironing
out differences over the naval ratio
and Shantung. Secretary Hughes, Mr..
Balfour and Baron Kato conferred
for more than an hour this afternoon
over terms of the Japanese decision
regarding the ratio of capital ships.
Contrary to popular belief, the Japa-
i1ese decision has been in washington
for several days. Disagreement as to
one point raised by the Japanese and
the general desire to complete the
entire naval formula, covering aux
iiiary vessels and submarines as well
as major units. have combined to pre-
vent publication OF the Japanese reply.
Acceptance with One Condition.
There appears to be scarcely any
room for doubt that the Japanese
Government is perfectly willing to
accept the 5-5-3 plan proposed by dele
ssates of this country, with one condi-
tion. This is recognition OF the right
Of Japan to retain the superdread-
rfought Mutsu, which is already in
commission. British and American
delegates do not regard the Japanese
request with favor on the ground that
tho retention of the Mutsu would vio-
late the spirit of tho limitation of sea
ornaments by encouraging instead OF
restricting competition.
The Japanese base their claims
chiefly on reasons of national pride
and have attempted by juggling the
language in the Hughes plan TO save
the Mutsu by sacrificing other units
Of naval tonnage which would come
within the total Of the schedule ia
vored by Great Britain and the United
States
Delegates of the latter country take
the view that the retention of the
Mutsu would provoke resentment on
the part OF the other naval Powers.
which would seek an opportunity to
build ships of equal or even larger
tonnage by sacrificing other capital
ship units as is proposed by Japan.
The American and British delegates
believe Japan will come to appreciate
the force of this argument and as
sent to the scrapping of the Mutsu. A
circumstance that contributes to this
belief is the confidence of the Japanese
that the United States will agree to
" ltH year AOA iOihd1y III bhC
Pacific.
The Japanese naval question is at
tached to the American fortification
plan, and in fact the whole naval prob
lem is interviewer with the proposal
for ten year holiday. The Japanese
are understood to have suggested that
they be permitted to retain the Mutsu
and that the Hughes figures be revised
TO permit the United States to keep
the battleship West Virginia and Great
Britain q ship of relative size.
Another Obstacle to Agreement.
Another obstacle In the way of COM
psete naval agreement such as is de-
slred Is caused by the French insist
srco on its right to expand its naval
sblishment beyond the point Ameri-
ear British, japanese and italian dele
les regard as even necessary or de-
Die. The Italians are perfectly
ng to accept the figures Of the
three Powers on condition that
zee modifies her demands TO meet
te italian figures.
France continues to insist on her
nights" the italian Government un-
doubtedly will press it's claims for
equal privileges in this respect. The
new committee of fifteen created yes
terday to take over tho consideration