The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-02
Great Britain Seeks to
 Bring c. 5. and Japanese
 NaUaL Views Into Harmony
England Finds Double Interest in Securing the x ment Between America and Japan-Kato'> spp SS
 Proposals Not Formally Offere <'' s
By Associated Press


 Washington, December 1.-Great Britain, as the ally of Japan, is using her influence to bring the Japanese views in the naval ratio dispute into harmony with those of the United States.
 With this development. the Japa- nese plenipotentiaries again have sub mitted the whole question to their home. government.
 The exact nature of the latest
 move for the solution of the ratio
 problem Is not disclosed, but 1t Is
 indicated that Great Britain has
 found q double interest in the
 success, because she has accepted
 in principle the "5-5-3" proposals,
 and because she Is in alliance
 with. Japan, who asks for ratio
 of 10-l0-7.
 All the principals on both sides of the controversy refused tonight to ] ecognize the situation as a deadlock. : he Ameriean delegates, 1t was said autnofitatively were even declining Daron kato's proposal for an in creased Japanese strength as d for nal presentation of the Japanese Nlewpoint. They were confident,, 1t Mas declared, that the "I0-lu-7'' pro- portion would be abandoned before Yapan's final statement of position is placed before the conference.
 Not Formal
 1t is apparent that if the proposal or the Japanese statesmen is not to Ds regarded as formal. the reason lies in the fact that it was not passed across the table at a formal session Ui the aims conference or any of it's regularly constituted subdivisions.
 Baron kato's request for an increase over the American ratio was commun- icated to Secretary Hughes and Ar lnur J. Balfour at a meeting of the three late Tuesday afternoon. In re- Iating frankly his governments po- sition, the Japanese plenipotentiary touched on the reason which impelied him to make the request and asked the question of national needs be taken into account in determining the naval relatiyity.
 In response, Secretary Hughes and MT. Balfour made plain the opposition of the American and British delegates to vitally changing the basis of ratio determination, and Baron Kato indi- cate dthe desire before going further to communicate again with his gov ernment. Since then the three have not met to discuss the question, but their conversations are to be re- sumed when further advlces have been received from Tokio.
 shantung Controversy During the iuIl new attempt was begun today to settle the long debated Shantung controversy, but in view of the status of the naval negotiations, tho Shantung conversations were looked on by many of the delegates as a small part of the main picture. Secretary Hughes and Mir. Balfour, exercising their good offices" met with the Japanese and Chinese dele gations for a preliminary survey of the situation and then left American and British observers on the ground to aid in whatever way they can to bring the two oriental groups into agreement
 The part taken by MT. Hughes and MT. Balfour in the meeting was said to have been confined to a general statement of confidence that a just and fair solution would be reached Baron Kato responding for Japan and Minister Sze for China, with general expressions of qualification in the in- terest taken by the two other pow CTS. The session lasted little more than an hour, and afterward it was
 tcontinued on Page Two)