Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-12-03
OPTIMISM FOR
NAVAL RATIO
Grows DAILY
Hughes-Balfour-Kato Con-
ference Brings Stronger.
Hope For Plan
TWO HOUR SESSION
Japanese Agreement to be Postponed
Awaiting Settlement of Other
Questions.

Washington, Dec. 3.-The conf
dence generally held that the Hughes
5-5-3 naval ratio will be accepted
ultimately by the japanese delegation
was strengthened tonight after Mr..
Balfour, Admiral Baron kato and
Secretary Hughes had been in con-
ference almost two hours.
Fresh optimism was apparent in
American circles, although the official
communique given out after the con-
ference was entirely colorless.
1t read:
Mr.. Balfour, Baron Kato and Mr..
Hughes met at the state department.
this afternoon and had an extended
interview with respect to the naval
proposal. No comment on the inter-
view can be made at this time.
In some quarters the belief pre-
walls that when the long conference
was over there was a clear UNDER
standing between the three statesmen
of what has been accepted in Wash
ington for several days as the fact,
namely, that Japan will agree to the
5-5-3 ratio, but will not sign on the
dotted line until various Pacific and
Far Eastern issues have been settled.
1t is quite possible that in the in
timacy of the session Baron Kat0 told
Mr.. Hughes almost as much, and that
they and Mr.. Balfour devoted part
of the time to discussion of those
Eastern issues, including the Anglo
japanese pact and various suggested
substitutes.
The latest Of these suggestions in
wolves q general arbitration treaty
between Japan and the United States.
The conference between the domi-
nant. figures in the delegations of the
three big naval powers began about
$40. twas concluded at 1880, when
the state department was deserted.
except for the immediate attaches OF
the serretary's office.
At that hour the secretarys door
opened and Mr.. Balfour and Baron
Kain slowly emerged, both showing
distinct signs of WEAKNESS. The for
mer was accompanied bv one of his
secretaries and the latter bv the
translator. who usually is at his side.
In silence thev went to the diplomatic
antnroom. got their hats and then,
still in silence, entered the elevator:
The understanding is that the con-
ference, while entirely amicable. was
one Of very frank expressions. Each
of the three leaders had in his pos
session the statement of facts made
bv tho naval experts who have been
studvino the figures in relation to
the Hnrhes proposals. The time had
passed for experts analyses and had
come for direct expressions of onin-
ION and purposes bv the responsible
heads Of the delegations.
It is known that Secretary Hughes
entered the conference with no
thourht at all of the possibility of
compromise unon the ratio Question.
He has REGARDED that as outside the
rance If rive-ond-take diplomacy. be-
cause he has heen convinced that the
Facts show that the 5-5-2 ratio which
he proposed for the navies nfter re-
ductinn and limitation had been nc
"nnnnlishod. is The existing ratio. De-
nartrrr from that meant. in his set
fled judgement: revival Of naval COM
-ntition md destruction of the pro-
rr-~l submitted on the opnnin" day
of the conference "nd AGREED to by the
other movers in "Drincipln."
It also is known that Mr.. Balfonr
nntarnd tho conference lined IN in
effect. on the Amnriran side. That
fart. nlus Mr.. Hrghns' viri1e attitude
nrd arguments dnnht'oeS pu+ Rarnn
Vato on the defensive throughout the
EScussion.