Bisbee daily review., 1921-12-28
Statement No Nearer

parently was as far as ever from a
settlement, despite conferences be-
tween American delegates and those
OF Japan and France, the two powers
VINO are holding out against the Amer
lean compromise proposal. The naval
committee, which has not met since
Saturday, will resume tomorrow, but
neither the French nor Japanese ex-
pect to be in position to modify their
objections to the American plan.
Negotiations over Shantung also
took on a more serious aspect today
when the Japanese, after receipt of
fresh instructions from Toxic, let it
be known that they were not prepared
to make any further concessions in
their exchanges with the Chinese over
return of the Using Tao-Tsinan Flu
railroad. The Chinese already have
declared they can go no further tow
ard compromise, but in some con-
ference circles, there still is hope that
the two groups may be brought to-
gether.
Meantime, the new four power Pa
cific treaty, already signed by the
United States, Great Britain, France
and Japan, got back into conference
discussions through a suggestion from
Japanese quarters that the four DOW
ers agree not to apply the terms of
the pact to the principal islands of the
Japanese Empire. In view OF differ
ences of view developing in the United
States and Japan as to the meaning
OF the treaty, the Japanese were said
to be considering the suggestion of
such an interpretative agreement.
An Interpretation not applying the
treaty to the major Japanese islands
would be reversal of the understand
ing said to have existed among dele
cations when the treaty was signed.
Ii would be adverse also to the inter-
pretatfons announced by the American
delegation, but in harmony with that
voiced by President Harding Should
Toxic decide formally to suggest such
an agreement, the move might pre-
cipitate an intricate situation in the
conference.
Propose Another Pact
Another suggestion involving inter-
esting political considerations came
from French circles. 1t was a hint,
advanced informally while the delega-
lions waited for news OF the decision
of the cabinet in Paris, that France
might be willing to agree to a status
quo limitation of submarine strength
if the other powers would join with
her in a treaty designed to preserve
peace in European waters.
AS tentatively outlined, such a
treaty would be similar in purpose TO
that just concluded to cover the Paci-
fic, and would have as its signatories
Er.of
many. Should they desire TO do so,
it was said, the United States and
Japan might also participate in the
agreement, although the inclusion of
the four European powers. including
Germany, expressly would be consid-
cred indispensable
Several conference subcommittee
have held meetings to discuss collat-
eral issues. The subcommittee reyis-
ing Chinese tariff arrangements seem
ed near an agreement which would in
crease Chinese revenues, and the sub
committee on aircraft drew up a ten
tative declaration of principles to gov
ern warfare. Naval experts also con-
suited over a plan for uniform meas
urement of warship tonnage.
In the deliberations of the sub-divi-
sions, there appeared a growing ten
dency to leave details of the Wash
ington negotiations to be worked out
by continuing commissions who would
report directly TO the various foreign
offices, or to future conferences. Two
or three such commissions have been
decided, and il was indicated that the
whole scheme of continuing consulta-
lions aomng representatives of the
powers was regarded by President
Harding as fitting in with his pro
posal for future international meet
ings.
Wants All to Attend
The president, il was said by ad-
officials. would be much
if the Washington con-
ference adjourned without a definite
agreement for similar future negotia-
tions. Should no agreement on auxii-
larry craft be possible here, il was de-
clared, Harding would feel that an
for another conference
on that subject would be an integral
part of the unfinished Washington ne
gotiations. He was described as de-
string that many of the nations not
represented here be invitd TO join
future auxiliary warship discussion.
making the meeting virtually a world
Whether any agreement is to be
reached in naval auxiliaries is regard
ed as depending on a favorable solu-
ton of the submarine question. be-
cause if France and Japan insist on
building more underwater craft. than
are proposed for them under the
American plan, other powers will be
d sgosed to add TO their navies a dis
pr Urtionate tonnage OF various
classes of anti-submarine vessels II
is not regarded as likely, however.
that failure to agree on auxiliaries
will affect the agreement on capital
ships.
In Japanese quarters. il was empha-
sized tonight that the Japanese dele
CATION was not in a position for sup
porting the claims of France To a go
600 submarine tonnage. Japan, il was
said. was Directing to the American