The New York herald., 1921-12-03


'~---------
Al:ght or Wednesday morning. WIN af-
ford ample opportunity for Secretary
Hughes and Baron Kato TO exchange
further views on the Far Eastern sit
uation, especially with a view to safe
Guarding Japan's national interests.
without any question being raised such
as would be raised If Mr.. Balfour were
IN Washington and Mr.. Hughes should
then hold a series of conferences with
Baron Kato in which Mr.. Balfour
would not participate.
The theory of British encourage
ment to the Japanese in the naval
ratio discussion minimizes, in the esti-
nation of close observers of the stu
.ition, the seriousness of the postpone
ment of Japan's acceptance OF the
Hughes proposal. 1t is question
whether the inspiration Of the Japa-
nese course proceeded spontaneously
from the Japanese themselves or came
from the British. but it Is not doubted
by some students of international
affairs that tho Anglo-Japanese all-
ance is a factor in the present stage
Of the arms deliberations and that
Japan is seeking settlement that
viii concede to her morally what the
alliance guarantees with force.
The atmosphere was materially
cleared early to-day on the question
OF limiting naval armaments. The
confusion of the last few days. due to
flood of inaccurate and misleading
reports disappeared, so that leaders
.rF Of fha firm
opinion that a settlement following
The "5-5-3" ratio is now a matter of
only a short time. The optimism of
President Harding at the White House
was reflected among the delegates at
the headquarters of the various ma
lions.
Issue One of Diplomacy.
Admiral Baron Kato. the Japanese
Naval Minister. had series of informal
conferences this morning with the other
members of the Japanese delegation. but
Il was said authoritatively that no de-
rision had been reached as to the stand
Japan would take on the proposal of the
experts that the ratio be 1O-10-7 instead
of 5-5-3. as proposed in the American
plan. That statement was made al
Japanese headquarters prior to the
important conference at the state Lee
Dartment this afternoon.
At the same time, the japanese were
Careful TO make 1t clear that they re-
garded the issue as one to be worked
out by diplomacy, with Secretary
Hughes sitting at the table for the
United States. Arthur j. Balfour repre-
renting Great Britain and Admiral
Baron Kato there for Japan. They re-
garded the experts report as important
only that 1t contained the essential facts
about the Japanese navy, and not as
the determining factor in international
policy.
The big three are. anxious TO get the
decision on capital ships out of the way.
20 that the other details of the naval
programme may be taken up. Admit
1edly the capital ship ratio is the key to
Tho entire situation. Once It Is settled,
The other questions, such as auxiliary
tonnage, submarines and the Ike. may
lie considered. 1t is the view of the
big three delegates that these secondary
questions will be comparatively easy
TO settle once the capital ship ratio is
determined.
Harmony Is Apparent.
1t was obvious to those who visited
fhe headquarters Of the different dele
cations that the spokesmen are anxious
aor settlement and this added weight
f1o the expectation that the Japanese
would be ready, when the proper time
comes. to abide with the American pro-
gramme for a 5-5-3. In some quarters
At has been made to appear that a con-
1lict exists between the delegates, but
shose In authority on every hand have
taken pains to dispel any suci id.a.
An instance of this was the vigorous
denial in British circles that Mr.. Bal
-four had any intention Of offering his
good offices to mediate between Secre-
parry Hughes and Admiral Kato on the
question of capital ship ratio. To some
nf those who understand the situation
Abe report that the time had come for
snediation seemed amusing.
Similarly a report was current that
Admiral Kato and Prince Tokugawa OF
ihe Japanese delegation had decided on
quitting the United states on December
lis. leaving the conference to work out
sts own destiny. That the Japanese sm-
phatically denied.
Japan came here 20 participate sim
rerely and whole heartedly In the con-
conference Is over" the spokesman OF
the Japanese delegation said. ''The
Japanese delegates VIII spare no effort
70 cooperate with the American and
pther delegations 70 bring about good
sieny most emphatically the stupid
rcssip that any OF the japanese dele
ssstes are leaving on December 10. No
body knows how soon this conference
will be over, but the whole Japanese
a - a. T. IT, - H. 49,.