Evening star., 1921-12-03
EXPECT DECISIONS
FROM PARLEY SOON
Discussions Reach Final
Stage Where Indulgence
and Tact" Is Required.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

L
Today the arms Limitation and far
eastern conference is in the stage OF
negotiations significantly described
by one high official as. on account of
the interests involved. requiring
"mutual Indulgence, great tact and
reasonable patience" Which would
seem to be the essence of the spirit
OF such>a conference as this one is
the meeting of sovereign powers un-
hampered by charters pre-written.
Discussion of what is thought to
be going on must be based mostly
upon inference and intuition in the
lack of purposely withheld details
from authoritative sources-withheld
for the very obvious reason of the
delicacy Of the situation.
Important Conference.
The public is told in an official state
ment that Mr.. Balfour, Admiral Baron
Kato and Secretary Hughes conferred
lato yesterday. 1t developed that
thereafter the Japanese delegation es-
tablished contact with the Toxic gov
ernment, and the natural assumption
was that important suggestions and
possible counter proposals had been
submitted during the conversation
among these three negotiators.
Thereupon, a wide field of specula-
ton was opened to view. Before en-
tering upon it. comfort could be taken
from the reassuring thought that no
deadlock has arisen, no impasse yet
confronts and that the orderly
processes of composing differences
are functioning.
Speculation as to what constitutes
the highly delicate subjects under
consideration covered a number OF
ideas. 1t was taken for granted that
the main issue is agreeing to the
basis for Limitation of naval arma-
ment as proposed by the United
States.
Probable Japaneae Decision.
1t was also taken to be a strong
probability that Japan has included
this question; considerations apply
ing to the limitation of Notifications
by the United States of bases in Pa
cific waters.
Furthermore, it was suggested that
some advantages desired by japan
in China might be included in the
pending propositions. This would
not be regarded as involving Shan
tung, however, which is being dis
cussed directly between representa-
tives now in Washington of China
and Japan.
The probability that resumption of
conversations among the three nego-
tiators, Mr.. Balfour, Admiral Baron
Kato and Secretary Hughes. would be
week was indicated by the departure
Of the British statesman for Rev
York, with several of his colleagues.
to- participate in social activities
there.
No Deadlock Feared.
1t can be stated upon authority
that nowhere in high American Off
cial quarters does the feeling prevail
that the negotiations are in state
menacing deadlock. or failure. On the
contrary, there is sincere confidence
that the trend of affairs forecast an
agreeable outcome.
It is not denied anywhere that the
issues now being subjected to negotia-
tions are as delicate as they are OF
vast Importance, and 1t is realized
that a spirit Of immovable obstinacy
maintained by any Of the parties In
terested would entail serious conse-
quences. But it is asserted that no
such spirit is yet in evidence.
All officials and others interested in
the success Of the conference are still
looking forward to the possibility of q
plenary session at an early day to place
on record some definite accomplishment
Of the conference, which is expected
to take in the limitation Of naval arm