New-York tribune., 1921-12-13

of most observers here, the view of
President Harding and Secretary
Hughes that these controversies should
be, settled before any measure of dis
armament is agreed to, rather than
Senator Borah's insistence that naval
disarmament should be considered by
conference Of just three nations
Britain, Japan and the United States.
Senator Borah's fear was that an at
tempt to straighten out the Pacific
problems would be futile, and that il
would make also futile any effort TO ar
rive at any measure Of disarmament.
Saghalin Issue Dropped
A curious development of the day
was that the Japanese believe the old
controversy over the occupation by them
of the upper half of Saghalin Island
will not be brought within the juris-
diction of the four-power treaty be-
cause the territory is not the property
of any one of the four powers involved.
A Japanese spokesman indicated that
mis- government was waiting to discuss
this subject until such time as re-
sponsible government for eastern ST.
IBERIA should be established. 1t was
pointed out that in the event any of
the four. powers. including, of course,
Japan, should make a move to obtain
possession of the upper half OF the
island, that act would bring it within
the jurisdiction of the four-power
treaty.
The exact nature of Japan's reply
with regard to the naval ratio--which
was discussed by Hughes, Balfour and
hato for ncSrly two hours this after
noon and which is to be discussed
again Tomorrow mornings close
~ guarded secret, but it is assumed
n hnr n ntAr
well Informed that it has nothing to
DO with the merits of the 5-5-3 ratio
itself. but rather with other details.
Japan has not made any fight here,
through her representatives, against
the 5-5-3 ratio for more than two
weeks.
In agreeing not to fortify or estab-
lish military or naval bases in the Mar
shall or Caroline Islands Japan has
States, which were made when Japan
suggested the United States should
not construct more Notifications or
bases in the Philippines and Guam.
Which brings the whole conference
down to the point where apparently
Japan is waiting for the United States
to agree on the Philippines and Guam
demands of Japan. and on the final de-
cis'on. now said to be within sight, on
Shantung.
Ends Long Negotiations
Negotiations between the United
States and Japan with reference to
zap and the inundated islands north
of the equator have been in progress
since June. The terms were largely
agreed on before the meeting of the
pending conference. The treaty puts
the United States on footing of full
equality in zap with Japan or any
other nation in all that relates to the
Zap Guam cable or any cable which
may be laid hereafter by the United
States or its nationals.
Important rights. privileges and ex-
emptions IN relation to electrical com
munication also are granted the
United States. One of these is that
there shall be no cable censorship or
supervision of operation or messages
and each country is free to operate
both ends OF its cables directly or
through its nationals, including cor
porations and associations.
In the inundated islands the United
States is to have the benefit of the
engagements set forth in the mandate.
Military training of the natives, cx-
cept for internal police and local de-
fence, is prohibited. Religious free
dom is guaranteed and vested property
rights of Ans ricans are respected.