Arizona republican., 1921-12-28
IS
 ON AND
 SUB QUESTIONS
PROPOSAL FOR FURTHER CONFER ENCE TO DISCUSS AUXILIARY PROB LEMS WILL BE MADE WITHIN FEW DAYS TO AVOID DELAY
TRepubIican A. p. Leased WIreJ

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27-The sub marine controversy has revealed so wide a difference of opinion among the powers that the arms delegates are seriously discussing a plan 10 leave the question of auxiliary war ship tonnage to a later international conference.
 So far consideration of the project has been informal with conferences leaders outwardly reflecting a hope that the present negotiations may yet bring the submarine problem to a solution. In many quarters, how ever. there are growing signs of dis Ieouragement over the prospect and an accompanying tendency to examine carefully possibilities of the post ponement plan
 In highest American official circles. it was said today that a concrete proposal for a further conference might be laid before the arms dele gates within a few days. President Harding was said to feel such a con 1 ference would be a logical develop ment of his policy fin international consultations. and it was indicated i that he had communicated his de- sires to the American delegation. delegates FeSsimistIc 1 Tonight the submarine tangle ap- parsntly was as far as ever from n 1 settlement. despite conferences be- | tween American delegates and those of Japan and France. the two powers who are holding out against the l American compromise proposal. The naval committee which has not met since Saturday, will resume tomorrow but neither the French nor Japanese expect to be in a. position to modify their objections to the American plan. ! Negotiations over Shantung alSa took on a more serious aspect today when the Japanese. after receipt ot fresh instructions from Tokio, let it be known that they were not pre- pared to make any further concess- ions in their exchanges with the Chinese over return of the Tsingtao- Tsinan Flu railroad. 'The Chinese 5aI- ready have declared they can go no further toward compromise, but in some conference circles there is stiu hope that the two groups may be brought together.
 Meantime the new four power Pa cific treaty. already signed by tie United States Great Britain, France and Japan got back into conference
 
 Japanese quarters that the four DOW CTS agree not to apply the terms of the pact to the principal islands of the Japanese empire. In view of differ ences of view developing in the United States and Japan as to the meaning of the treaty. the Japanese were said to be considering the sug- gestion of such an interpretatiye agreement.
 Treaty Interpretations An interpretation not applying the treaty to the major Japanese islands would be a reversal of the under standing said to have existed among ; delegations when the treaty was , signed. It would be adverse also to the interpretations announced by the American delegation, but in harmony | with that voiced by President Hard ing. Should Tokio decide formally to suggest such an agreement. the move might precipitate an intricate situa- ! ton in the conference.
 Another suggestion involving in ]; terestinE political considerations : came from French circles. It was a hint. advanced informally while the delegation waited for news of the decision of the cabinet in Paris. that f France might be willing to agree to a status quo limitation of submarine strength if the other powers would join with her in a treaty designed to preserve peace in European waters.
 As tentatively outlined, such a treaty would be similar in purpose to that just concluded to cover the Pa , cific and would have as its sigma | tories. France, Great Britain. Italy and Germany. Should it desire to do so, 1t was said. the United States l and Japan might also participate in the agreement although the inclusion of the four European powers, includ- . ing Germany expressly, would be considered indispensable.
 Several conference subcommittee ? have held meetings to discuss col ? lateral issues. The sub committee
 on revision of the Chinese tariff