The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-15
MAJOR ISSUES OF
The NAVAL RATIO
ARE AGREED UPON
To BE Readjustment to Permit
Japan to Retain Her New
Battleship Mutsu.
ABROGATION OF TREATIES
is DESIRED BY CHINESE
When the Request Was Present
ed to the Committee-Jap-
anese Promptly Objected.
tRv The Associated Press)

WAsHIN GToN, Dec. 14.--The arms
conference delegates have reached an
agreement on all the major issues Of
tho naval ratio burt are encountering
new difficulties in their discussions on
the far east.
The American @5-5-s" ratio forms
the basis of the naval settlement, but
there are to be readjustments in the
original American plan to permit Japan
10 retain her new battleship Mutsu.
The United States and Great Britain
win be given compensative quota of
additional ships not yet determined in
detail.
In the far eastern negotiations the
latest element of controversy is a re-
quest by China for abrogation of the
treaties resulting from Japan's famous
"2t demands" When the request was
presented to the far eastern committee
or the whole today the Japanese
promptly objected and the committee
adjourned
Coming at time when the Shantung
negotiations are at a critical stage,
the Chinese aibrogation proposal has
somewhat beclouded the prospects OF
far eastern agreement, but most Of
the delegates remain confident of an
ultimate solution.
Another meebing of the big three"
late today advanced the naval question
nearer to the point of final and de-
tailed settlement, but left some minor
points still TO be determined. In all
quarters announcement of complete
accord was regarded as only question
Of hours.
AS an offset to Japanese retention of
the Mutsu. the United States is to re-
tain the superdreadnaughts Washing
ton and Colorado, and an equivalent
British capital ship tonnage is to be
provided. The details OF this British
i Increase constitute the only point still
TO be decided.
Coupled with the naval agree
ment in the proposed treaty win be
a status quo" understanding on Pa
clfic Qualifications and naval bases, ex-
elusive Of Hawaii and the islands of
the Japanese. Australian and New
Zealand coasts. The plan means aban-
donment OF the American island of
Guam as potential naval base
Temporarily the naval question is
receiving major attention from the
arms delegates, but there We're indica-
items today that the increasing Sc
robustness OF the far eastern differences
might soon require the principal fig
ures OF the conference TO turn their
efforts to that direction.
China's request for abrogation Of
the "twenty-one demands" treaties,
was coupled with suggestion that
the powers also take some definite and
formal step toward abolition of exist
Ing spheres OF Influence" in the far
east There was no discussion in the
committee, but it was evident tonight
that the Japanese would not stand
aione in opposing the abrogation pro-
posal.
In the Shantung conversations, the
present point OF controversy Is the
compensation that China is to give for
japanese improvements on the Kiao-
Chow railroad. The japanese have
asked for Instructions from Toxic. but
subject TO a favorable response from
their government, offered today to
withdraw from the railroad In the
event Of satisfactory compensation
Arrangement.
In the view Of some Chinese dele
gates the financial guarantee desired
oy Japan as a condition of her with
drSwal amounts to virtual perpetua-
tlon Of Japan control over the road
The suggestion has been made in some
quarters that a new big four" COM
posed Of heads of the American, Brit
ish, Japanese and Chinese delegations
be asked to take tho question under
adv1sement.