Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-22
BELIEVE PONE Re
WILL. AGREE To
j. s. PROPOSALS
TO CUT NAV|E5
There Is Strong indication
at Capital That Definite
Progress Is Being Made
Toward Agreement,
CONFERENCE is HELD
BY THE "BIG THREE"
There Is No Indication That
Any Change in the 5-5-3
Ratio viii Be Considered
By Americans.
(By The Associnted Press.l

Washington, Nov 81 (by the
Associated Press) There wau
strong indication today that defin~
lite progress toward an agreement.
on American proposals for naval
reduction and Limitation was beii
made, although no definite action
was taken.
The "big three" of the arms.
Limitation conference. Secretary
Hughes, 4. J. Balfour and Admt,a'
kato' met. Each was aided by the
chief naval experts of each mower
put so far as could be learned the
discussion did not get beyond
further talk over figures as to tom
mage and other matters in the
American plan.
Some Early Conclusion.
The fact that the experts had
made such progress as to warrant
the Informal meeting of the heads
OF the three delegations chiefly
concerned In the naval program
was regarded as significant and
foreshadowing some early conclu-
sion.
There was evidence that the
American experts were asked for
ana also received further particu-
lars as TO the American proposals.
1T appeared probable there would
be further meeting tomorrow.
There is no indication that any
change in the American proposed
five -five-three' ratio OF fleet
strength will be considered by the
American group. That ratio, how
ever, under the American proposal
would not apply for ten years or
until requirements begin after the
ten year building holiday.
American Naval Opinion,
American naval opinion does not
easily accept any suggestion that
additional ships to those proposed
in Mr., Hughes plan be retained by
any mower That was based on
the fleets as they were November
II as the zero hour or applica-
ton of a cut and the decade of
no building. The Japanese con-
tend, 1t is understood. that the bat
tleship Mutsu. proposed to be
scrapped, was so nearly finished
tHHb Hllt SliOuIu De TeLHlneu. IN
that event it seems highly prob
able that the United States would
retain one or more of the new
battleshlps now afloat. but which
she has offered to scrap. The
point has not been threshed out
as yet by the experts, however,
nor has Japan definitely commit
ted herself, It is held. to the five.
fiVe-three" replacement ratio.
British Endorsement.
Other phases of the American
program were under discussion to-
day. Representation We're under
stood to have been made by Brit
ish and Japanese experts as to the
effect the American plan would
have in connection with the obsoi-
escence of ships during the ten
year period, the shape each navy
would be in at that time. and other
technical questions. 1t was said in
some quarters that the American
group admitted that all OF these
considerations were not fully re-
viewed In shaping the proposal. In
any case however, the British have
given unqualified endorsement, ac-
,ording to authorized British
ipokesmen to the fundamental
Drincinle Of the American plan. the
five -five-three" ratio and settle
nent of this vital point awaits
Tapan's final answer. American
opinion regards other matters
argely as routine.