Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-29
ACCEPTANCE0F
HUGHES NAVAL
PLANIMMINEN7'
Japan Expected to Give Up
Fight For 20 Per Cent
Proportion
END BY CHRISTMAS
France to Press Demands-British to
Take Up Submarine question
China Wants Troops Removed.

Washington, Nov. 29.-Acceptance
by Great Britain and Japan of the
Hughes naval ratio plan appeared
imminent tonight, as the conference
on the lamitation of armament swung
into it's third week.
American sources reported sub
stantial agreement on the basis OF
the Hughes formula, although in
dications were that Japan, before
yielding, would make a final stand
for larger share of capital ships.
In the midst of this general OPP
timism, however, it was authorita-
lively reported that the French dele
gates are preparing to present within
few days q formal demand for a
capital ship tonnage equal to that al
lowed Japan, and are seeking Italian
support.
The naval experts of the five pow
ers will meet tomorrow and are ex-
pected to draft their formal report to
the conference.
The British delegates in conference
with the representatives of the domin-
ions were reported still holding out
against submarines, but are expected
to give ground on the final show
down.
The Far Eastern committee heard
demands of China for the removal OF
foreign troops. 1t accepted, formally,
the principle of aholishing foreign
postoffices. and took up questions OF
extra territoriality.
Secretary Hughes asserted that the
conference was far ahead, of its
schedule. Numbers ef delegates. are
tentatively arranging to depart be-
fore Christmas.
There was renewed discussion Of
the need for subsequent conference
to deal with problems of foreign debts
and international economic condi-
tions.
Washington, Nov. 29.-The op-
timistic reports of the last few days
regarding the naval reduction situa-
tion were confirmed emphatically to-
day by high American officials. For
NAL announcement of agreement by
England, Japan and the United States
on the Hughes 5-5-3 ratio is to be eS-
pected shortly, perhaps through the
medium of an open session OF the con-
ference.
This is the status of naval affairs
tonight despite statement from Vice
Admiral Kanji Kato, chief naval ad-
wiser of the japanese delegation,
(who is not to be confused with Ad-
miral Baron Kato) that the japanese
still adhere to their claim that the
ratio should be for Japan to ten
each for Great Britain and the
United States.
The understanding here tonight,
based not only on statements from
authoritative American sources but
from reliable Japanese sources, is that
while Japan may argue all the way
for a 10-10-7 ratio, when she reaches
the line of final decision she will
agree to the ratio proposed in the
Hughes plan. In other words, Jap
anese know that the ratio she wants
will not be accepted and is prepared
to accept the Hughes ratio after she
has made her fight.
Americans hold that the Hughes
ratio of 5-5-3 rests upon a solid rock
now, because examination of the eX.
isting tonnage of the three big navies
by the experts has disclosed 5-5-3 is
the actual existing ratio. The facts
are with the American position, au-
thoritative spokesman declared today
II 5-5-3 is the existing ratio, then
say the American spokesmen, the
5-5-3 ratio must stand after the re-
ductions are made, and that means
the Hughes plan.
The japanese argument for 8
higher ratio must proceed, it appears
from one Of two premises:
/. That in computing existing ton.
mage only ships in service should be
considered and not those under con,
struction, as in the Hughes plan. II
only ships in service were consider.
ed, it is stated, the japanese would
be able to make out better case fol
10-10-7 as the existing ratio.
2. That even if it should be de-
monstrated that 5-5-3 is, in fact, the
existing ratio, Japan's defensive
needs are such that she should be al
lowed the higher raro-that the in
crease from six to seven would NEAR
little to Great Britain or the Unitet
States, but vast deaf to Japan.
It is accepted that arguments base'
on either of these premises will fai
if offered. The point can be mad
against each that it IS In violation
of the acceptance sin principle" o
the Hughes plan, which came fror
both the British and the japanese a
the first open session of the confer
ence after the Hughes plan was sub
mitted.