The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-11-21
AMERICAN Group
WILL STAND PAT
Regarding Proposals of Main
tanning Existing Ratio of
Naval Strength.
tsr The Assoelaed Prea.l

the 0NlIeu states, GrfaL Bfltdln ana
Japan, advanced by the American arms
delegates as a means pf perpetuating
the present relative standing Of the
three powers. is coming under increas-
ing pressure as the important cards of
the big diplomatic game began to fall.
In the main, proposed notifications
seem to center Sabout the contention
THAT the ''5-53" formula, which Is based
on tonnage alone does not properly
Irefiect present proportionate strength
when such other elements as speed.
cruising radius and armament are con-
lsidered ship for ship
Thus far there has been every indi-
cation that the American group would
stand pat" for its proposal of main
flaming the existing ratio, but it is de-
iclared the national viewpoints of the
other powers as to what constitutes
fair basis of comparison VIII have due
recognition as the negotiations proceed.
! The result may be a more thorough
review of the exact status of the pres
ent naval establishments of the three
powers, which the Japanese hold will
| show Japans right to an increase
over the $3.50" proportion, but which
| American experts declare will be more
likely to establish that Great Britain
and the United States each is entitled
to almost a 2-2-1 advantage over
| Japan.
| The adyisability of such a review is
| understood to have been discussed yes
terday at a conference between Secre-
tary Hughes Arthur j. Balfour and
Admiral Baron Kato. respective heads
| of the American, British and Japanese
delegations, and it is expected to re-
| ceive consideration very soon at
meeting of the international committee
Of naval experts appointed to sift |
details
BY highest authority the Associated |
Press was assured tonight that the |
American government stood four |
square behind its original proposal to
regulate Limitation by the yardsticl1
of existing strength, and had no in
tention Of making concessions which
would modify that principle 5ae
American delegates do not want to
adopt take it-or- leave-itD attitude,
however, so far as details are con-
cerned. and are willing to hear the
views Of any power which thinks it
may have been done an Injustice
Thus, as the conference swings into
its second week. there are increas-
ing indications that the show down (
SO far as the fundamentals of naval
armament agreement are concerned,
may be reached speedily. In the Far
Eastern negotiations departments are
not moving so rapidly, and there seems
to be growing impression the, if de- {
tails are to be worked out at ali the
process viii be a long one.
Tomorrow the conference win make
a start on still another of its prob {
lens, that of land armament. At an
open session Premier BRAND is ex-
pected to present the consideration be-
hind Frances present enormous army
outlay, and to invite discussion from
the other powers. Italy is said to be l
ready also to set forth her views in a
general way, and Mr.. Hughes is I'M
derstood to be considering a brief
statement on behalf Of the United
States.
Despite the divergence of opinion on
some features of the American naval
plan, there is evidence Of a virtually
unanimous confidence in the outcome. n
Yesterdays meeting between Mr.. s
Mr.. Balfour and Baron Kato 3
was described as essentially in accord, !
and among those inside" it was de- :
clared to have cleared the air of much
of the diplomatic in direction that +
always characterizes the days of in I
conferences. Ia
But the Far Eastern questions, which =
will reach a stage of more detailed de-
bate at an executive meeting of the h
delegates late tomorrow, are regarded III
as lending themselves less easily to II
rapid decision. They deal with far
less tangible things than guns and +
ships and involve such a maze of in 81
terlacing diplomatic red tape that if h
an agreement is reached, even on the
general principles, some of the dele [
gates will be well satisfied
The problems affecting China, in
particular, are considered virtually in
of negotiation along any such
exact lines as may be pursued in re-
gard to ornaments. 1t is said by some
delegates who are giving special study
to this branch of the conference. that
probably it viii be necessary to dearl
with the subjects set out In the :
agendas ana with the ten points OF
the Chinese proposition on very gen
eral lines.
The important statement made by :,
the Japanese delegates at Saturdays :
session IS regarded as showing Z
marked indispcsition of Japan's part
to 60 far into details, and the Chinese. s
who are pushing for specific declara- :
tons by the conference. have been re- t
that, after all, Japan came to o
the conference only after a clear I'M c
with Secretary Hughes
that no nation could be bound by the ?
conference against its viii, even t
though all others were united e
against it.
Private conversation between the g
delegates seem TO be developing
view that the Far Eastern question =
~ 4