Arizona republican., 1921-11-29
 NAVAL RATIO II bEF|RST MAJOR
 DECISION GIVEN
 AT ARMSP PARLEY
TRepublican A. p. Leased Wirel

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S-The arms conference is approaching it's first great decision.
 It was announced tonight by Vice Admiral Kato, chief Japanese naval expert, tha. Japan seeks a 70 per cent naval ratio. It also was an nounced with equal authority that the American delegation stood firmly on Secretary Hughes "5-5-3" ratio proposal which means 60 per cent status for Japan. The conference ultimately must reconcile these two views or accept one or the other to reach an agreement.
 Vice Admiral Kato said the 70 per cent ratio as the minimum neces-. sary for Japanese security. The American view is that 60 per cent for Japan is the maximum na- val strength that could be accepted in vlew of the American liabilities in the Pacific,
 Naval Experts Meet Today Tomorrow naval experts of the five ! powers will meet. They have con- cluded their inter group discussion of the American plan so far as its | major factors are concerned. Devel- | opments today and tonight indicated that they would return the matter to 1 the conference delegates without rec | concentrations for important modifi- i cations
 l The American experts are satisfied | that the original estimates of naval | strength were correct. Presumably the British officers are in accord with the American view Tn many respects. The French and Italian attitude haA ! not been formally disclosed. l V~& 4,,sI .s &I.a a& | action by the committee of experts | to sustain the American estimate of
 naval facts and figures was expect ed. Whether Japanese experts would
 submit minority views was moi 1 known.
 In any event it seems likely that
 the scene of action will be trans l ferred this week to the committed
 room. Presumably the Japanese
 group is prepared to continue it. l argument there for a '10-10-7" fleei
 ratio instead of the American ''5-5-3'
 proposal. To what extent Japanese
 insistence may be carried in commit. tee or later before the conference i. , still to be disclosed.
 Vice Admiral Kato in his state,
 ment declared that the 70 per cen
 ration was !" the minimum of strengtl required" fol Japan's security. H,
 added:
 People of all countries must be 1T
 full agreement as to limitation of ar
 mament. Otherwise, even though ar
 agreement may be made. it nigh
 create an unpleasant feeling and de. feat its purpose"
 No More Concessions to Japan For competent American maya opinion, it may be said with author.
 ity that the ''5-5-3" proposal il viewed as the absolute maximum O concession to Japan in view of Amer
 ican interest and liabilities in tn, Pacific. Naval opinion here hold actual security would require "10-5'' ration as against Japanes owing to distances, probable cause of conflict and similar matters. For that reason the Americal : "5-5-3" plan is viewed as not onl.
 a written assurance of utter lac
 of any American purpose in the Pa
 cific inimical to legitimate Japanes
 interests, but as an assumption of
 similar friendly attitude by JapaT
 On no other theory. to naval officers , would the proposal be warranted backed as it is by the offer to scra
 or discontinue more than twice tn = amount of new tonnage Japan . asked to abandon.
 Reference by Vice Admiral kato { :. Japan's limited steel output and shi building facilities, as warranting he ? desire for 70 per cent fleet statu: = recalled the original view taken C D, Secretary Hughes "5-5-3" ratio pro ] posal. That ratio, it is asserted. zoe }. far beyond any attempt at the almos q impossible task of setting down L. | figures. estimates of naval strengt . relativity. It includes some allow r. ance for American shipbuilding re t sources in the estimate of navs e strength at sea. officials say, as we e las every battle ship now afloat ha
 it's place in fixing naval proportio
 now subject to suspicion, as cloal1in - hostile design.
 n In other words, these officers COT z tend, the United States could bull l. and maintain against Japanese on r. two to one or even a three to or # scale if it desired. If it is to abando y that advantage. they added. to er : naval competition. the sacrifice mu e be met to some slight extent at lea
 in the fleet ratio to be fixed
 :