Arizona republican., 1921-11-21
BRITAIN ENDORSES NAVAL RATIO PLAN
 FOR BIG 5 POWERS
NAVAL RATIO OF FIVE TO
 THREE FOR JAPAN IS ACCEPTED WITHOUT RESERVATIONS; BRITAIN TO MODIFY SUBMARINE FEATURE
rRepubIlcan A. P. Leased wIrs1

W O~fs -NON EO-OItdI Britain has endorsed without reser- vation the -5-5-s" rate proposed in the American naval plan, it was learned tonight on highest authority. While accepting the plan as a whole only in principle, because of their desire to put forward proposed modi- fication of the submarine and re- placement features, the British dele gation is said to have approved the suggested relative capital ship strength for Great Britain. the Uni ted States and Japan without equivo- cation.
 Adherents of British represepta- tives to the capital ship ratio because known tonight as an aftermath of the conference yesterday between Secretary Hughes, Mir. Balfour and Admiral Kato. at which the naval question was canvassed in the light or Japanese reservations
 The "5-5-3" ratio of naval strength for the United States, Great Britain and Japan, advanced by the Arneri canarms delegates is coming under increasing pressure In the main. proposed notifications seem to cen ter about the contention that the o-5-3 formula which is based on tonnage. does not properly reflect present proportionate strength when such other elements as speed. cr,,is ing radius and armaments are con- sidered
 American Group Firm
 Thus far, there has been every in- dication that the American group would stand pat. for its proposal or maintaining the existing ratio. but IL IS declared the national viewpoints or the other powers as to what con | stitutes a fair basis of comnariso,, will have due recognition.
 The result may be a more thoroupy, 1 review of the status of the naval | establishments of the three powers. %nlcn the Japanese hold will show l Japan's right to an increase over me 5-5-S proportion but which l Amer1can experts declare will ha more likely to establish that Great Britain and the United States each entitled to almost a two to one acvantage over Japan.
 The advisability of such a review IS understood to htve been discussed yesterday at conference between Secretary Hughes, A. J. Balfoi,r ., ,,d Admiral kato, heads of the Aneri- can, British and Japanese delera- uons. and is expected to receive cor slderation soon by the interuafionsr commission of naval experts
 By the highest authorities. The As sociated Press was assured that tbe Afnerican government stood four square behind its original propSsai W regulate limitation by the yard suoh oI existing strength and had no intention of making Concessions The American delegates do not wan, 10 adopt ake-it-or-Ieave-ft- at- tltude, however. so far as details are concerned and are willing to hear ene views Of any power which thinks Al may nave been done an injustjce
 Show Down Nears
 mus there are increasing fndica
 ions that the show down as far as tne fundamentals of a naval arrna- ment agreement are concerned be reacned speedily. In the Far Eastern | negotiations developnents are no+ moving so rapidly and there seerns 70 pc growing impression that If details are to be worked out fhe process will be a long one.
 tomorrow the conference will take up land armaments. At an open se.- sion Premier Briand is expected to present considerations behind frances present enormous outlay and to invite discussion from fhe other powers. Italy is said to be ready also to set forth her views and MT. Hughes is understood to be considering brief statement for the United States.
 Despite the divergent opinions on some features of the American naval plan, there is evidence of a yirtuaiI5 unanimous confidence in the out come. Yesterdays meeting between Mr Hughes, MT. Balfour and Baron kato was described as essentially cordial, and it was declared to have helped clear the air.
 Far East Today
 But the Far East tarn questions to come up at an executive meeting of the delegations tomorrow are re- garded as lending themselves less easily tc rapid decision. They i1- volve such a mage of interlockiny 2 diplomatic red tape that if an agree ment is reached even on the general principles some delegates will be well satisfied.
 Problems affecting China arc con sidered virtually inca pable of neso- tiation a.cng such exacc lines as may be pursued as to armament 1t iS said by some delegates that probably it will be necessary to deal with tie subjects set out in the agenda. Tine statement made by Ihs Japanese dei- egates Saturday is s,egarcies as show , ing an indisposition by Japan to go far into details, and the Chinese have been reminded that Japan came to the conference only after a clear un- derstanding with Secret tary Hughes that no nation could be bound by the conference against its will, even ; though all others were united f against it.
 Agreement Not Binding
 Some American delegates believe that compromises can be reached on the debatable propositions. Such. fol instance, would be the Chinese ap- peal for the abolition of extra terri torial jurisdiction. There is a pros pect that provision will be made for this with the understanding that the ' change will be made gradually to conform to the development of . modern judicial system in China. Finally, the view expressed by ' some delegates that the whole com plex Far East problems in the end s are likely to be dealt with by the conference through a solemn deciara- r ton of principles. to the observance of which nations party to the con ference would be bound only lh honor