Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-21
MAY REVIEW ACT
Continued from PAGE one)


negotiations proceed.
The result may be a more thorough
review of the exact status of the
present. naval establishments of the
three powers which the Japanese
hold will show Japan's right to an
increase over the $3.50" proportion
but which American experts declare
would be more likely to establish
that Great Britain and the United
States each is entitled to an almost
two to one advantage over Japan.
The advisability of such view is
recognized TO have been discussed
yesterday at conference between
Secretary Hughes. Arthur ]. Balfour
and Admiral kato, respective heads
of the American. British and Japan
csc allegations, and is expected to
receive consideration very soon at a
meeting of the international commit
tee of naval experts appointed to
sift details.
Ey highest authorities The Associ-
ated Press was assured tonight that
the American government stood four
square behind its original proposal to
regulate limitation by the yard stick
OF existing strength and had no in
tentions of making concessions which
would modify that principle. The
American delegates do not want to
adopt take it or leave it" attitude,
however, SO far as details are con-
cerned and are willing to hear the
views of any power which thinks it
I, ;,i,
Thus as the conference swings into
its second week there are increasing
indicat tons that the show down so
far as the fundamentals of naval
armament agreement are concerned
may he reached speedily. In the
Far Eastern negotiations develop
emnts are not moving so rapidly and
there seems to be a growing impress
sion that if details are to he worked
out at all the process will be a long
one
Tomorrow the conference will
make n start on still another of it's
problems. That is, land ornaments.
In open session, Premier BRAND is
expected TO present the consideration
behind Frances present enormous
army outlay and to invite discussion
from other powers.
Italy is said to be ready also to
set forth her views in a general way
and Mr.. Hughes is understood to be
considering a brief statement on be-
half of the United States.
Despite the divergency Of opinion
on some features of the American
naval plan there is evidence of a very
unanimous confidence in the outcome.
But the Far Eastern questions
which will reach a stage of more de-
tailed debate at an executive meet
ing of the delegates late tomorrow
are regarded as lending themselves
less easily to rapid decision. They
deal with far less tangible things
than guns and ships and involve such
a maze of interlacing diplomatic red
tape that if an agreement is reached
even on general principles, some of
the delegates will he we'll satisfied.
The problems affecting China, in
PARTICULAR. are considered virtually
Incapable of negotiations along any
such e.iact lines as may be pursued
in regard to armament. 1t is said
by some delegates who arc giving
special study to this branch of the
conference that probably it will be
necessary to deal with the subjects
set out in the agcnda and with the
ten points of the Chinese proposition
on very general lines. Some of the
American delegates believe that COM
promises can be reached on the de-
batahle propositions. Such, for in
stance would be the Chinese appeal
for the abolition of extra territorial
There is a prospect that
provision win be made for this with
the understanding that the change
will be made gradually to conform to
the development of modern judicial
system in China which will insure
Justice for foreigners.
Finally, the view is expressed by
some delegates that the whole COM
pick Far East problems in the end
are likely to he death with by the
conference. not by the signature of
any general treaty, hut rather
through a solemn declaration of
principles. to the observance of which
nations party to the conference would
be bound only in honor.