The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-02
EAST SUBJECT
MERGING With
NAVAL RATIO
To What Extent Discussions
May Become Intertwined
Becomes Topic of Increas-
ing Speculation.
MAY TRY TO Bind TWO
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON. Dec 2.-To what
extent the discussions over the naval
ratio and the political problems Of
the Far East may become intertwined
became a subject of increasing spec
ulatiOn today as the two negotiations
developed simultaneously toward tn.
point of important decisions.
The whole physical procedure oi
the conference thus far has contribu-
ed to absolute separation of the tw0
questions, and on the surface there
has been no indication of a change.
On the other hand various ele-
ments of the situation have led to al
impression in some quarters that in
the final stages of the negotiations,
there may be an effort at least 10
bind the two together.
It was suggested today in British
circles that the Anglo-Japanese Al
lance could come into naval discue-
sion if it had not already done So,
despite the apparent intentions ct
! the British delegation to press for d
naval agreement not dependent upon
| the outcome of the Far Eastern ques-
! tions
! The naval question is said to have
! been considered at a conference yes
/ torday between Baron kato and A.
| thur J. Balfour, and it is regarded
! among the delegates as entirely likely
/ that the alliance was one of the i'm
portant questions of the discussion.
Center Of Hope
/ Hope for an early settlement Of the
dispute arising from Japan's request
for an increase from 60 to 70 per cent
in the capital ship tonnage allotted
her under the American limitation
plan centered today in the efforts Of
Great Britain to bring the japanese
views into harmony with those OF the
United States.
While precisely in what manner
. Great Britain has undertaken TO use
! her influence in solving the naval
ratio problem was not known today
it was indicated that. as an ally OF
Japan and having on the other hand
accepted in principle the basic "5-5-3
ratio of the American proposal she had
found double interest in the ultimate
success of the negotiations
The situation was expected to re-
main at a status quo today while the
Japanese delegates in the light Of this
new development communicated fur
ther on the question with Toxic where
it is understood 70 be under COnsidera
tiOn by the Japanese cabinet as vel
as by the diplomatic advisory council
Deny Deadlock
Meanwhile. principals on both sides
of the controversy refused to view he
situation as a deadlock TODAY. thr
American delegates even declining Il
recognize Japan's request for the in
/ creased ratio as a formal DrOnOsal a
this stage, although il is known tC
= have been presented by Baron Kat;
personally last Tuesday to Secretar!
Hughes and Arthur J. Balfour, head o
the British delegation.
The American delegates remained
{ confident that the Japanese reques
would be withdrawn before reachlns
u the status of what they would regGrt
= as a formal proposal
: With the naval situation MARKING
= time, the far eastern committee of III
. conference was prepared 10 resume it
sessions today after suspending yes
/ terday to permit organization of til
h conference of delegations from Japa
and China on The Shantung question
n That committee, which held only
r brief session yesterday. was meetin
q again today while the question panC
T. ing before the far eastern cOmmitte
II was China's request for withdrawal c
d foreign troops stationed on her so
j without treatT sanction. General a
-. sent in principle to that request wa
given at the last meeting but the sp
d CifiC problems involved. including tha
y Of railroad protection in the Japanes
lie leaseholds remained to be discussed.