New-York tribune., 1921-11-19
VIII Not Alter Ratios
for Navies Contained i'm
Proposal; Answer to
Toxic Is Most Emphatic
Nippon Opposed to
Chinese Autonomy
France to Demand Under.
sea Craft; Ratification
by All Nations Planned
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-The
only way to stop the armament race
is to stop, and the only yardstick
which can be used in measuring CONF
parative strengths is the present
ratio. This is the American answer
to Japan's plea to be allowed q
larger number of battleships than is
allotted under the American plan.
This principle was laid down with
very great emphasis by the Ameri.
can delegation to-day, though scru.
pulous care was taken to phrase the
opinion most automatically. Indeed,
the spokesman for the Administra-
ton rather resented question which
referred to the policy as "take-it-
or-leave-it" proposition.
Japan Opposes Chinese Plan
This was the great big develop
ment Of the conference to-day, al
though the days news contained
many other highly significant points.
For example, Prince Tokugawa,
of the japanese delegation, frankly
admitted that his government did
not intend to do anything with re-
gard to China which Toxic would re-
gard as disadvantageous or detri-
mental to Japan's interests. Japan
could not agree to the complete au-
tonomy of China, he said. He also
refused to discuss the open door in
connection with Manchuria and
Mongolia. In view of the fact that
the whole point about the integrity
of China centers around the question
of whether Manchuria and Mongolia
should be included, this aroused con-
siderable interest.
The hint was given at the White
House that the settlement of the Pacific
and Far Eastern questions might
be a matter of agreement, rather than
treaty which would have to be SUBJ
mitted to the Senate. 1t was explained
that, of course, any reduction of the
navy would have to be passed on by
both houses Of Congress anyway when
the appropriation bills came up. The
President by executive order, how
ever, can scrap the old ships without
cL ,issy ynn IF
General Ratification Planned
Ratification of any agreement as to
the limitation of armament which may
be reached at the present conference
may be requested of the other nations
which arc not attending the confer
ence. it was announced in very high
Administration quarter. This would
have two purposes.
One would be to prevent any possible
violations of the spirit of the agree.
ment among the conference powers.
For example, one of the nations which
made the agreement might have some
other nation, pcrhaps some country in
South America, build several powerful
battleShips. with the understanding
that they might be seized or purchased
should an emergency affecting the con.
ference nation arise
The other purpose would be to bring
the other countries of the world into
form of agreement on armament
limitation which would gradually grow
up into sort of practical association
Of nations. II was pointed out to-
night that this would be the second
step--the calling of the conferences
! being the frst-toward the ideals ex-
pressed by President Harding in his
campaign speeches last year
France for Submarines
Another development of the day was
that the French do not agree with the
British desire to have greater reduc-
/ tions in the amount of submarine tom
/ mage to be permitted than outlined in
the American plan. The French regard
| the submarine az the weapon of de-
fense by the weak naval powers.
Henry Ford, talking with President
Harding to-day. said that he would be
delighted to buy all of the war
ships which might be scrapped under
| the American plan and to employ them
, or their materials in some useful way,
The next formal meeting of the com
| Notwithstanding the meetings of
the committee on Pacific and Far East
ern questions, which really consists Of
| all the delegates 10 the conference-s
will be held Oh Monday. it was an.
! nounced to-day. At this meeting
Premier BRAND of France will make
the address on land armaments which
he promised at the la st public meeting.
American Position Important
The statement of the American posf.
ton with regard TO changing the ratios
fixed by the American plan is raeardeS
as the most important developmen1
! since the British and Japanese &C.