Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-03
Discussion OF Forti6cationy
In Pacific, Opposed By
Japan, Believed To Be The
Sticking Point; Negotia-
tions At Standstill Pending
Word From Toxic. q,

Washington. Dec. 3.-(By the Asso-
ciated Press. )-Negotiatio in the
naval ratio question were practically
at a standstill today while the Japan
ese delegates awaited further word
from Toxic. &
Today the results of yesterdays con-
ference between the principal Ameri-
can, British and japanese delegates
were under study by the Japanese
cabinet and the diplomatic advisory
council.
U. S. Plan Not Disregarded.
All indications We're that whatever
had been proposed as means NJ
bringing the United States and Japan
together did not involve any abandon
ment of the 5-5-3 ratio proposed by
me ne onited states and supported by
Great Britain. but rather concerned
other considerations, which the Jap
anese regard as necessary to them.
Chief among these was understood
to be the question OF further forti-
fcation OF the American bases in the
Pacific. which the japanese wish to
see checked. The relation Of fortified
bases is such to feet ratio that there
was a suggestion the japanese mighr
consistent with their standard Of na-
tlonal security if details regarding
them could be arranged.
There was decided impression
among other delegates, not repre-
sented In yesterdays conference OF
! the big three" that a means of an
proach to settlement had been found
outside OF any alteration of the 5-5-3.
May Make Substitute.
In general discussion, which has
been aroused by the secretary which
surrounds the latest stage Of the ne
gotiations a number Of Considerations
are being mentioned as among those
which might accompany the agree
ment. One Of these is the general
! feeling that the Anglo-Japanese ALI.
ance Is being dealt with and that
there soon will appear; a plan, ap-
proved by both Great Britain and
! Japan to abandon that much disease
7 sed 2greeHs5t sni s7sbssitltssit with
some other sort os agreement j 10
1 which the United States might be q
party. One suggestion is FOR asset OF
arbitration treaties bet ween the three
powers with a provision that Japan
would not be involved in a war with
out six months Or years notice.
involved Japan's position in China.
The general feeling among dele.
gates is that concessions to Japan il
they may be properly SO termed may
be made. which will cause her to ac-
cep. the 5-5-3 intact
Supporting this view on the ques.
ton OF fortifications. came this au-
thoritative outline of the Japanese
position, from a more official source:
Substantial Progress.
The latest discussions were described
by one delegation spokesman as hay
ing made very substantial progress
toward an agreement, and there we're
growing indications, but no official
confirmation that the negotiations had
come to the point where all parties
were considering proposed agree
ment involving all the major ques-
tions of the conference.
Japan has impressed upon the
delegates her need for some measure
of security if the Anglo-Japanese
treaty is to be abandond notwitF-
standing the British declaration that
the pac. would not apply to disputes
arising between Japan and America
, In British circles today it was said
that if there is to be some kind OF .
treaty or arrangement of a less
formal nature-perhaps one or more
rnirh1 also he ;ny-ited ~ s1,hscrihc :,
the aereemen. II was c1e. rly ind;-
Gated by a British Spokesman 1nday
thai \ matter of this scone ana i'm >
nortance could scarca,v he arranpad
within the short comnass Of week
even we're Messrs Hughes Ralfour
and Eato 70 work overtime
i The present ia REGARDED bv the
British delegates as a momentous oc-
casion in the history OF the confer
ence. It is held that very erIbstantia1
nrosress has heen made
Jndications are that tho British
delegates have cbanged their ORIG.
inal view ana tha, + might he nos
sihle to hold nIenarv sessson abou,
the middle Of next week
a5
"1n Japanese minds, strong fortis;.