The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-11-19
Japanese Delegates Not
Yet Ready To Reveal
the Position Of Their
Government-Demand
For Relatively Larger
Navy Is Probable

Washington. Nov. 19.-CBy the AS
sociated Press. )-The precise attitude
of Japan is becoming more and more
the Zig Interrogation point of the
arms conference.
When the delegates of the nine ma
tions assembled again today to talk
about the far east it was Japan to
whom they looked for "a hint that
would reveal just what trend is to be
taken by the negotiations as they af-
feet China.
In the same way and perhaps with
an interest even more intense the ma
val experts of the powers were him
doring Jaran's request for an in
crease in her proportionate naval
strength. and were wondering wheth-
er she would raise a direct issue with
the United States by proposing ma
terial changes in the ratio fixed by
the American plan.
Interchanges with Toxic during the
two days recess of committee sessions
were said to have provided the Japa-
neso de egation with comprehensive
information as to the attitude of their
government but there was no authori-
ta:ive prediction of how far that at
titude would lie revealed at the pres
ent stage Cf the far eastern negotia-
tons. Some OF the Japanese dele
gates seemed to feel it would be bet
ter t. develop the subject point by
point.
Washington, Nov. 19.-t6y the AS
sociated Press. )-Deiegation of all
the powers We're believed tC be fully
prepared to present their views on
the plan presented by China for set
tlement OF questions involving her
status when they meet today in ex-.
aCutive session to resume the far
eastern discussions. While all may
not desire to commit themselves in
detail on specific points at this stage
OF the negotiations. it was expected
that progress would be made in con.
sidering the the Chinese plan at least
asa EasiS for committee discussions
Particularly the japanese delega-
ton whose views will lie presented in
a statement by Ambassador Shide-
hara, had indicated preference to
have their policies developed step by
step as the negotiations were contin-
ued and were prepared at this stage
to ask for an Interpretation of some
OF the Chinese ten points Whether
the Chinese proposal for a re-exami-
nation of the status of all commit
ments affecting China meant desire
on her part to reopen what Japan
considers as CLOSED incidents to
which she has expressed firm opposi-
ton, was believed to be the special
point of interest for Japan.
1p I,n 10
tiations Japan's desire for an increase
in the proportional strength of her
navy. although so far as known not
yet formally presented to the special
naval committee of the five powers
had become the dominant point today
of informal discussion in conference
circles
With the American delegation ad-
herring firmly TO the principle upon
which the naval ratio for Japan was
arrived at in its proposal, this prom
ised to become the most tightly drawn
issue of the conference
The aspect of the armament nego-
tiations was broadened today as a re-
suit of the disclosure Of the admins
tration's purpose not to limit the
prospective limitation agreement to
the nations represented at the con-
ference, but to ask the participation
of any other interested nations. In
: connection with such an agreement,
administration officials expressed the
belief that unless it took the form of
treaty rather than an understand
ing of policy, the entire program for
this nation. including the scrapping
OF warships. could be put through
without congressional action. They
would not predict, however, which of
the forms it would take. if consum-
mated.