Norwich bulletin., 1921-12-02

Ndsnlngton, Dec (By the A. P.D.-l Great Britain, as the ally of Japan. s using her influence to bring the Japanese views in the naval ratio dispute into harmony with those of, the United States
 With this development. the Japanese plenipotentiaries again have submitted the whole question to their home govern ment.
 The exact nature of the latest move for a solution of the ratio problem is not disclosed. but it is indicated that Great Britain has found double interest in the success of the negotiations. because she has accepted in principle the Ameri- can "5-5-S" proposal and because. on the other hand. she is in alliance with Japan, who asks for ratio of "10-10-7."
 All the principals on both sides of the | ltroversy refused to recognize the sit- u5tion as a deadlock. The American delegates, it was said authoritatively. were even declining to regard Baron kato's proposal for an increased Japanese strength as formal presentation of the Japanese viewpoint They were confi- proportion would be abandoned before Japans final statement of position is placed before the conference.
 It is apparent that if the proposal of the Japahese statesman is not to be re- garded as formal. the reason lies in the fact that it was not passed across the table" at a, formal session of the arms conference, or any of its regularly const- tuted subdivisions.
 Baron Kato's request for an increase over the American ratio was corlmuni- csted to Secretary Hughes and Arthur J. Balfour at a meeting of the three late Tuesday Tn raia F~-n -1x- his governments position. the Japanese plenipotentiary touched on the reasons which impelled him to make the request and asked that the question of national needs be taken into account In determ.n h. ing the new naval relatively.
 In response. Secretary Hughes and Mir 1 Balfour made plain the opposition of the American and British delegations to vi | tally changing the basis of ratio deterrni. ] nation and Baron Kato indicated he de ] sired before going further to communt cate again with his government Sine | then the three have not met 10 discuss tn, question, but their conversations are [, be resumed when further advices havi l been received from Tokio
 During the lull a new attempt wa. | begun today to, settle the long debate, Shantung controversy, but in view of tn. 1 status of the naval. negotiations tn. Shantung conversations were looked or by many of the delegates as a small par Of the main picture. Secretary Hughe and Mir. Balfour exercising their "gooI offices" met with the Japanese and Chi nese delegations for q preliminary sur vey of the situation and then left Ameri l can and British observers" on tn ground to aid in whatever way they ca to bring the two oriental groups int
 agreement
 The part taken by Mir. Hughes and Mi
 Balfour in the meeting was said to hsv
 been confined to general statement c
 confidence that a just and fair solut:o
 would be reached. Baron KGto respond
 ing for Japan and Minister Sze for Chin
 with general expressions of gratifcatio
 in the interest taken by the two othe
 powers. The session lasted little mor
 than an hour and afterward it was ind
 cated that it had not been determine | whether Japan or China should make tf
 first move. There will be another mee
 ing tomorrow.
 The note of optimism over the outcon
 of the naval discussions was particular ! manifest tonight among the JaDanes
 While refraining from any comment c
 the British position. Baron Kato said I
 would not regard the .\uation as const
 tuting deadlock. and another membi
 of the Japanese delegation. using a di ferent phrase emphasized that we al
 not pessimistic."
 The submission of the entire srlhiects ' Tokio indicates that under the Japane
 system it will be considered by the Ja
 anese cabinet as well as by the dipl , matic advisory council. a body compos.
 of eminent Japanese. chiefly former mi ' | !sters.
 So far as the Washington end of |
 situation is concerned, the problem is r 1 garded as having narrowed down 10 . rect and personal exchanges among | naval Big Three"-Secretary Hugh, : MT. Balfour and Baron Kato.
 In side line discussions today there we
 further suggestions that the question naval bases and Notifications in the r "" "" cific might find a place c< growing pron hence in the naval ratio negotiations i far as officials have revealed Japan h u not yet formally raised that point.
 While on the way 10 Washington [ Japanese delegation made known th, U desire to establish a policy under whi ' Japan would have a navy large enou ! to meet any force that any other DOW : would be able to send to the Orient. '' other words, 1t was suggested that JS,,
 must have some assurance that 1sE<4c
 Notifications in the Philippines and II Guam were not to be increased to [ e point whers. c. entire American na n would: S able to use them as bases an offensive against the Japanese empi '- The existing status of the Anrlc-Js
 anese alliance as modified to bring it ir
 harmony with the covenant of the les- t of nations is believed to be a matter T considerable concern to Japanese stzs, o men who. If they are unable to obtain l. renewal of the alliance. would desire 'r see some substitute agreement O. und, a standing. which will assure 10 them ,
 possibility of legitimate development
 the Far East without a menace fr, 'e other strong naval powers