Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-12-02
BELIEVED JAPAN
IS BACKING DOWN
Baron Kato Sends Two Signifi-
can't Cables to Tokyo.
MAY RETREAT FROM STAND
Roots Compromise Plan Causes Brit
ish to Shift Front as Storm Over
China Looms-Japs Are
Sitting Tight.


Washington, Nov. %. - Admiral
Baron Kato spokesman for Japan at
the big conference, cabled Tokyo con-
yeying advice that his government
must retreat from the position that
the Mutsu should be retained.
Admiral Baron KatO sent another
still more important message to his
home government. He reported that
the fight to raise Japan's ratio of capt.
tai ships from the 10-1O-6 basis to
the 1O-1O-7 basis is hopeless. The
admiral further reported that If the
actual status quo is not accepted
cheerfully by the three great naval
powers there Is no use going on with
the conference. The point was made
that the only alternative to fiat accept
ance of the Hughes proposals Is to go
ahead with the pre-conference arma-
ment race.
Both Japan and Britain are now
clear that they want no such race with
the United States.
This news would have overshadowed
almost anything that could have come
out of the committees of the confer
ence on a day of activity. 1t Is au-
thentic. 1t indicates that Secretary of
State Hughes, representing the United
States, now holds both bowers and the
Joker.
Storm Over China Due.
The four general proposals for con-
sideration of Chinese problems adj
vanced by Elihu Root as compro-
mise between the divergent views of
Japanese and Chinese, form the gath
ering point for the storm that Is ex-
pected to accompany the efforts of the
diplomats To settle specific Chinese
problems.
The questions are so raised that
they are susceptible to many interpre-
tations. One diplomat described them
as $50 broad that horse and wagon
can be driven through any one of
them"
The British, French and Chinese all
have different views on how the Root
principles are to be applied to specific
points.
The British Interpretation as out
lined by a spokesman for the British
delegation is that in accepting the
proposals, China also accepted, in eff
feet, the status quo in China.
The proposal pledging the powers
Ito assist China to rehabilitate herself
financially and economically is inter-
Ipreted by the British as meaning that
the powers are to cooperate, forming
n sort of international control over
Chinese railways.
They also put forth the suggestion
that China's acceptance Of the four
principles involves also her accept
Iance of the consortium idea under
which the powers will undertake
Gigantic loan to China.
Chinese Viewpoint.
The Chinese viewpoint is directly
opposite They contend that China
shall not be "internationalized," and
may interpret the Root proposals as
meaning that China is to be restored
to complete administrative integrity
and complete independence as soon
las possible.
The sharp conflict in interpreta-
tions already has led to verbal tits
behind the closed doors Of the Pan
american building and 1t Is expected
that there will be more of them when
the committee resumes its secret ses-
lsions.
A week ago A. J. Balfour, head CT
the delegation, described the per-
Inicious sphere of influence" In China
as an antique method" of dealing
with Chinese problems, and indicated
Great Britain's willingness to .'get
out of China" in concert with the other
powers having spheres of influence.
1t was limited that Great Britain is
willing to give up her holdings with
the exception of Hong Kong, which Is
"a great British base and trade center.
Since the Root proposals came out,
however, there has apparently been a
Ichange in the British viewpoint. Lord
Ridell. the spokesman for the British
delegation, said the British delegation
viewed the situation as solicited and
Strengthening the foreign powers In
their spheres of influence.
The Japanese are sitting tight
and saying little. In the twelve days
that the conference has been in prog
ress only one definite announcement
concerning Japan's attitude on spe-
cific Chinese problems has been forth
coming. This was in relation as to
what really constitutes the China of
today.