Evening star., 1921-11-03
AMERICAN ENJOYS
MAKING PROGRESS
ON NAVY PROPOSAL
Definite Plans Are Expected
for Presentation to Arms
Conference.
MEETINGS CONTINUE;
DETAILS WITHHELD
Visiting Delegations Make Calls on
Secretary Hughes-Some at
Other Departments.

Official assurance was forthcoming
today from State Department sources
that gratifying progress" is being
made by the American delegation to
the arms conference in the prepara-
ton of a basis for limitation of naval
armement to be presented to the con-
ference. The American delegates were
to meet at 4 o'clock this afternoon to
resume where they left off at ad-
journment yesterday.
1t was also declared in official quar-
ters today that there is no question
Of the absolute definiteness of the
plan, when it is submitted as the pro-
posal of this country, the proponent
and host of the conference. for limi-
tation of armament.
The American delegates are not
ready at this time to disclose the de-
tails of the progress made or to out
line even the framework of the pro-
posal, which will be made at the
appropriate time and in formal manner.
Promise Of Publicity.
State Department officials reiterated
today assurances of an adequate de-
gree of publicity in connection with
quarter the prediction was ventured
that the public will be agreeably sur
prised at the extent of publicity Of
the conferences work. 1t was point
ed out that this is case where the
liberal opinion of the world is need
ed for the guidance of the men who
will assemble around the council board.
1t was stated with emphasis that
any restlessness on the part of a sec
ton of the public over the possibility
of the conference working in the
dark, or OF occult procedure, is en-
tirely unwarranted and not justified
by fact or intention. 1t was conf
IDENTIFY asserted that publicity will be
entirely adequate and of a character
to satisfy any reasonable person.
Japanese Desire.
Indication by the Japanese dele
gates to the arms conference on
arrival here that they desired and
hoped to discuss first at the confer
ence the question of Limitation Of
a aas aaest;on m se
possible priority to the forefront to-
day in matters connected with the
forthcoming meeting.
The Japanese viewpoint. as in.
formally expressed after the arrival
minister Of marine. and Prince 1ye-
sato Tokugawa. president of the house
of peers, who, with Ambassador Shi
dehara, form the principal Japanese
delegation. was that prior discussion
of Pacific and far eastern questions
might involve difficulties such as to
delay progress Of the negotiations.
While there has been no certain in
dication of the attitude of the Ameri-
can delegates on this point, it is un-
derstood that their preparatory con-
ferences to date. including that of yes
terday, in which Secretary DENLY and
the technical advisers on naval mat
ters participated, have been largely
confined to a study of the armament
limitation problem.
American Position.
The American delegation is under
stood to be preparing to take the in
it;ative in the conference and to make
a substantial offer on behalf of this
government looking to reduction of ma
val programs.
The State Department will forward
this week to the delegates invited to
the conference formal notice of the
necessity OF postponing the initial meet
ing until Saturday, November IL. The
hour for assembling will be 1880
O'Clock in the morning. IN the audi
torium Of the building erected by the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
near the Pan-American building, where
subsequent sessions will be held.