South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-06
SUBSTITUTE FOR
ANGLO-JAPANESE
PACT IS SOUGHT
Question of Three or Four
Power Agreement Demands
Increased Attention.
STILL WAIT ON TOXIC
No Disposition on Part of
L. S. to Entertain Proposal
at This Time.

By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. Dec o. The
question of a three or four power
agreement to replace the Anglo
Japanese alliance is demanding in
creased attention among the arms
delegates while the wait for Japan
20 define her position on the naval
ratio.
The latest suggestion, contemplat
ing an entrance into the club Of the
United states. Great Britain, Japan
and France. has developed 20 the
extent where a draft is under con-
sideration.
L. :. FrOwns on Plan.
on the part OF the American gov
eminent, there apparently is no dis
position to entertain an entente pro-
posaIS at least at. the present stage
of the negotiations. Later on such
a suggestion may receive considera-
ton provided il includes no require
ments counter TO American public
opinion.
Upon high authority II was said
Monday that the naval problem as
tt was referred TO Toxic after the
last meeting Of the Big Three" in
wolves no proposal FOR a political
agreement OF any character, but Is
concerned solely with the naval and
military aspects of the situation. The
American delegation adheres TO It's
expectation that the American naval
issue Will be settled without con-
ditioning the decision on any sort
OF a political Encouragement.
Admiral Kato OF the Japanese del
egation said Monday night that the
naval question involved issues which
are OF far-reaching effect upon the
national and international life OF
Japan and on the policies Of great
powers for decades to come and per
haps permanently. These Issues, he
said. should be brought 20 the fun
knowledge and consideration of the
government before definite action is
taken.
Delay Is Explained.
The delay IN presenting Japan's
definite position on ratio. declared
the Japanese statesman. is due Who'll
~ TO the difficulties OF cable COM
municatlon and the desire Of the
Japanese government TO act circum-
specify in so important a decision.
II has been indicated that it may be
late in the week before the Japan
csc are ready 10 return a reply 10
the latest naval preparation.
Meanwhile. the conference out
wardly Is concerning itself with
questions OF collaterar significance.
The committee on draft. headed by
Elihu Root, held a meeting today
and debated the problem Of foreign
telegraph and radio facilities in
China. virtually deciding 20 bring In
n resolution providing that as many
OF these facilities as exist without
treaty sanction shall have only a
curtailed use hereaf ter. The Shan
tung conversations proceeding be-
tween the. Japanese and Chinese IN
der the eye Of American and British
observers. were advanced another
step but developed no important de-
cisiOns.
The committee OF the whole on the
far east is 10 meet again on We'd
nesday, bringing the fun membership
OF the conference together after a
recess Of four days. An open ses-
sion OF the conference itself may
be held late in the week, but no
plans for IL have been made. The
American belief that the naval ques-
ton can be settled Independently OF
political issues. although borne out
thus far by the direction taken by
the negotiations apparently Is not
readily accepted in all quarters. A
British spokesman recently declared
that in the British view the naval
and far eastern problems were bound
up in the same sheaf and there have
been indications OF a like opinion
among some Japanese despite the
public announcement OF Admiral
Baron Kato that he was ready 20
consider a naval agreement without
reference TO the political COnsidera-
tons involved.
Ii is considered possible that in
the present period OF waiting the
two threads OF negotiations may be-
come so entangled IN the foreign
capitals al 10 give the American del
egation considerable trouble in sep
arating them when the discussions
are resumed II would not surprise
some observers II there should be
an attempt 10 make the final reply
OF one or more OF the governments
conditional upon a political agree
ment OF one sort or another.
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