The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-02
GREAT BRITAIN Is
URGING JAPANESE
TO CHANGE VIEWS
Endeavoring to Bring Harmony
in Conference Regarding
Naval Ratio Dispute.
ATTEMPT TO SETTLE
SHANTUNG DISPUTE
Negotiations, However, Looked
Upon by Many Delegates
as of Little Importance.
an The Assoclated Pressl

! WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-Great Brit
ain. as the ally of Japan, is using her
influence to bring the Japanese views
| in the naval ratio dispute into har-
mony with those of the United States.
With this development the Japanese
Iplenipotentiaries again have sumitted
the whole question to their home gov
ernment.
The exact nature of the latest move
for d solution Of the ratio problem is
not disclosed, but it is Indicated that
Great Britain has found double in
tterest in the success of the negotiations
because she has accepted in principle
the American "5-5-3' proposal and be-
cause. on the other hand, she is in al
lance with Japan, who asks for ra-
ito of "10-107."
All the principles on both sides Of
the controversy refused tonight to rec
ognize the situation as a deadlock.
The American delegates. it was said,
authoritatively We're even declining to
regard Raron Kato's proposal for an
Increased japanese strength as a for
NAL presentation of the japanese view
point They were confident it was de-
clared, that the "10- lots proportio.i
would BE abandoned before Japan's
final statement of position is placed
before the conference.
It is apparent that If the proposal of
the japanese statesman is not to be
regarded 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 regu-
larly constituted subdivisions.
Baron Kato's request for an increase
over the American ratio was commu-
nicated to Secretary Hughes and Ar
thur j. Balfour at a meeting of the
three late Tuesday afternoon. In re-
lating frankly his governments posi-
tion, the Japanese plenipotentiary
touched on the reasons which impelled
him to make the request, and asked
that the question Of national needs be
taken in account in determining the
new naval RELATIVELY
In response Secretary Hughes and
Mr.. Ba1four made plain the opposition
of the American and British delegation
to vitaIly changing the basis of ratio
determination and Baron Kato indicat-
ed he desired before going further to
communicate again with his govern
ment. Since then the three have not
met to discuss the question, but their
conversations are to be resumed when
further advices have been received
from Toxic.
During the lull a new attempt was
begun today to settle the long debated
Shantung controversy, but in view of
the status of the naval negotiations
the Shantung conversations We're
looked on by many of the delegates as
a small part of the main picture. Sec
retary Hughes and Mr.. Balfour, exer-
cising their good offices" met with
the Japanese and Chinese delegations
for a preliminary survey of the situa
ton and then left American and Brit
ish observers on the ground to aid
in whatever way they can to bring the
two oriental groups into agreement
The part taken by Mr.. Hughes and
Mr.. Balfour in the meeting was said
to have been confined to a general
statement of confidence that a just
and fair solution would be reached.
Baron Kato responding for Japan and
Minister Sze for China, with general
expressions of qualification in the in
terest taken by the other two powers
The session lasted little more than an
hour and afterward it was indicated
that it had not been determined wheth
er Japan or China should make the
first move There viii be another
meeting tomorrow.