The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-11-18
Haze of Old-World
Diplomacy Settles
Down Over Conference
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES.

international News service.
The thick haze Of old-world diplom.
acy settled down like a blanket today
over the activities OF the armament
conference. The pace has been fast
since the meeting opened six days
ago. and things have moved with
swiftness never before equalled In
international gatherings of such vast
Importance. .a-
The illness today Of Baron Shide-
hara. the Japanese ambassador. ana
ONE Of Japans principal DELEGATES,
afforded a respite from the almost
constant contact of the diplomats for
the past week The Baron's indis-
position forced a postponcment Of the
scheduled meeting OF the full nine
powers, at which was to be taken up
China's declaration OF Independence"
Delegation meetings and the con-
tinued session OF the committee OF
admirals." considering the appiica-
ton Of the Hughes naval program,
were on today's program.
There were indications today that
the visiting diplomats rather well
coined the respite afforded by the
japanese ambassadors illness. IT
affords them an opportunity Tor
general checking up.
China's ambitious plan for her re-
Mobilization 10 one that requifAs cctp
study on the part of the powers.
and while 1t came a. no surprise to
those having extensive holdings in
China, Its concrete application to
existing conditions nevertheless re-
quires Q great deal Of consideration.
Thus far. from the cautious utter
ances OF the spokesmen for the vari.
Gus powers, the powers have received
The United States-General APP
prevail Of the entire program.
The British Empire-Cautious APP
proval Of most OF the program in
principle" and a willingness TO ac-,
cept the program as q basis for
discussion. Great Britain Is be-
lieved willing to relinQuish Wei
hsi.wei, but Is understood TO be
staunchIy opposed to giving up
Hong-kong.
France-willing to fall in line
with any general policy agreed
upon for the Far East. her inter-
ests not being AZ vital as those OF.
Great Britain and Japan. Would
be willing to give up kaounS
Tcheou and extra.tsrritorial rights
in common with other nations.
JApAn--Cautious acceptance OF
the proposals. AS a basis for dis
cussion.'' Is understood to be
reconciled to giving up Shsuntung.
but n prepared to resist efforts
to dislodge her in Mongolia and
Manchuria Also insists that her
geographical propinQuinty entities
her to special consideration" in
China, as regards obtaining raw
materials, outlet for excess in
population, etc.
ftaly-Having no particular in.
terssts in China aside from finan-
cial interests, 10 willing to follow
the lead of other powers, and in.
clines Inward the altruistic policy
OF the United States.
II II an open secret in Washington
that in preparing her bill OF rights
Chinese diplomats here received
valuable assistance from American
sources. 1t il commonly accepted that
Robert Lansing, former Secretary Of
State, and, Paul s. Reinsch, former
Minister to China, both assisted ma
terially in the construction Of DIR.
Sees case. Both lansing and Reinsch
are employed as advisers to the Chi
ness government.
While the diplomats pondered
China's case within their own quar-,
tiers today, the naval experts con-
tinued 10 struggle with the. naval
proposals..
Progress has not been rapid in the
adjustment OF the conflicting views OF
American, Janapsse and British ex,
rerts. On the contrary there were
unmistakable indications today that
little has been accomplished.
The American expsrts are stead
lastly insistink upon the terms laid
down in the Hughes program. The
estimates we're made with such care,
the Americans contend, that no room
was left for trading"
Briefly summarized, the Japanese
and British objections are.
Japan--Believes she IL entitled to
20 per cent strength In capital ships
instead of so. Also believes that in
certain auxiliary ships she Is en-
titled to practical Nauality' wiki
Great Britain and America.
Great Britain--Objects TO the
Anne rican submarine proposals., and
the auxiliary Ahip allowance. par
ticularly In light cruisers. Is under.
stood to be rsconciled to the ten
year naval holiday proposed. after
first objecting.
II was learned to day that no prog.
ress at all has boon made in adjusting
the divergent British and American
views concerning submarines.
The British experts, keonly recol.
Letting the havoc wrousht by German
submarines during the war on har
vast merchant marine. want the
Hughes submarine program cut ex.