Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-28
EXPERTS DATA
ON PLAN READY
FOR BIG FIVE
Japan Continues to Ask
for Larger Fleet Than
Proposed by Hughes.
Diplomats Expect Some
Definite Agreement
by End Of Week.

sociated Press. with the question of
land ornaments definitely thrust in the
background by the developments of the
last week, the conference on limitation
of ornaments will enter it's third week
Monday with another stride toward
agreement on naval limitations fore
shadOwed.
The naval question, at least so far
as its most vital element, the five
five-three' ratio of fleet strength be-
tween Great Britain, the United States
and Japan is concerned, is approaching
the point of transfer back to the 'big
five" committee with the report of the
naval experts on the facts involved.
There is some expectation that plen-
ary session of the conference itself will
be called during the week to reach
first decisions on the naval limitation
plan.
Whether the experts of the three
major naval powers will submit indi-
vidual reports is not known. There is
nothing to indicate whether they are
agreed as to the facts and figures they
Japanese Stu Working
Both the British and American ex-
perts were reported as having conclud-
ed their examination Of the mass of
ship data involved in Secretary Hughes
proposal The Japanese naval group
was still toiIing on Saturday, it was
said. Spokesman for the army group
did not go beyond that estimate OF the
situation.
A summary of last weeks develop
ments as to the naval proposals indi-
Gates the following status: American
officers have seen no reason IN argu-
ments advanced by Japan for any
change in the keystone of the agree
ment Mr.. Hughes proposed the 'o-5-3
naval strength ratio.
British naval officials have accepted
that ratio although it means ultimate
equalization of the American and Brit
ish fleets in power.
Oppose United States Ratio
Japanese officers have opposed the
American ratio, immediate or future,
urging a ten-ten-seven relative status
instead.
American naval opinion strongly op-
poses retention by Japan of the battle
ship Mutsu unless both other powers
similarly and in due proportion enlarge
their fleets to be retained during the
10 year holiday in building.
There are indications that some mem
bers of. the American delegation which
will decide the American attitude see
strength in the arguments of Japan
that the Mutsu might have been lnclud-
ed as completed ship in the retained
fleets. There was nothing to indicate,
however, that compromise was being
this point.
British Silent
British opinion as to the Mutsu con-
troversy has been withheld. 1t has
been indicated, however, that Great
Britain was not desirous Of undertak-
ing any further naval construction at
this time, which seems to forecast
agreement with the American view that
the AIatsu should not be retained.
japanese officials have presented ex-
tensive tables of tonnage to support
retain the Mutsu without any similar
,etention by the other powers.
So far as the Mutsu is concerned, |
The Japanese have contended that she |
was a completed ship on November IL. |
The American and British expert views |
on this point have not been revealed.
Submarine Dispute
The next step, when the three groups |
Of experts have concluded their work, |
will be their report to the armaments
committee. 1t seems likely that even
if the British and American experts are
found to be in accord as to the general |
accuracy of the original American fig |
ures, the japanese naval officers win
submit differing conclusions. 1t will
then become the task of the ''big five"
committee to seek an agreement on
a report to be made at plenary ses
sion of the arms conference itself. How
long that might take it would be diff
cult to forecast.
British opposition to the submarine
element of Mr.. Hughes limitation plan
was certain to be one of the chief
points to be discussed by the confer
ence. To what extent the naval ex-
perts have dealt with it is not known.
1t is known, however, that no proposal
for abolishing submarines has been
put forth.