Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-17
FAR EAST PROBLEM
GETTING CLOSE UP
COMMITTEE VIEW
ron,lnued from mage /

Continued from page 4
committees than are absolutely essen
tial.
II was said the conferences proceed
to consider attention OF Far Eastern
question at once on the basis Of the
proposal submitted by the Chinese
delegates, the various principles set
out in the plan 20 be referred to ex-
perts who will examine them and sub
NIT their reports to the full conference
at the earliest practicable moment.
Japan would heartily subscribe to
many Of the points presented by
China, il was stated, by spokesmen
for her delegations, but other points
raised doubtful questions which might
be answered only after mature con-
sideration. Chief among the latter
they regarded the proposal that the
powers conclude no treaties affecting
China without consulting her, the
Japanese considering that this might
directly affect the Angio-Japanese
alliance. 1t was declared TO be the
British view, however, that the al
lance was not directly involved in the
Chinese proposal. although IL later
may be drawn into the discussions. As
directly affecting their individual ma
tional interests, the japanese also ap-
pear to attach great Importance 70 the
proposal that all existing commit
ments relating to China should be
examined with a view to determining
their scope and validity"
The Chinese proposal was favorably
mmented on by both the French
and Italian delegations as forming a
suitable basis for discussion of the
whole Far Eastern question. although
, lacking definiteness except as TO prin-
ciple.
| Three or four days must elapse be-
fore the British committee which is
considering the subject of naval ar
maments will be able 10 conclude its
work. This committee which is head
ed by. Arthur J. Balfour, head of the
the British delegates, is working hard
in daily sessions with the assistance OF
a number OF British naval experts
upon the American proposal.
The committee. il is stated by high
authorities is one OF the most i'm
portant bodies connected with the
conference for on 1t has been placed
the responsibility of actually decid-
ing the naval policy OF the British
empire.
Z The British delegation has taker
notice of the newspaper discussions ot
the relative merits Of battleships ant
submarines having particularly IL
mind the American proposal OF max
Ing the greatest sacrifice in capita
ships rather than submarines.
Regarding tke point that has beel
made IN favor of the American pial
that by favoring submarines, rathe
than expensive battleships, weake
nations may be placed on a plane o
equality. as such means o
defense will be within their financia
resources. Il Is explained in aathori
tative quarters the British object de
cidedly TO any plan that would ten
to cheaper wars. Sand thereby rende
Them more likely td occur.
The British are represented as feel
ing the conference is not likely I
abolish capital ships because they ar
expensive but rather with the noble
purpose OF avoiding war. A subaaarin
: which may be cheaper they hold, wi
not accomplish the object in view j
was declared with significant emphas
is that this subject is bound TO loor
large in the discussions not only {
the conference, but in the press Of III
world.