Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-28
SUB DISPUTE To |
Be SHELVED FOR
The PRESENT. IS
INDICATION NOW
Question of Auxiliary War
ship Tonnage viii Prob
ably Be Left to a Later
International Farley,
TANGLE FAR AS EVER
FROM A SETTLEMENT
Shantung Negotiations Also
Take on a More Serious
Aspect JapS Won't Make,
Further Concessions,

Washington, Dec. 27 (by the
Associated Press )--The subnla-
rine controversy has revealed so
wide a. difference of opinion
among the powers that the arms
delegates are seriously discussing
a plan to leave the question of
auxiliary warship tonnage to a
later international conference.
So far consideration of the pro-
iect has been formal. with con-
ference leaders outwardly reflect
ing a hope that the present nego-
tiations may yet bring the subma-
rlne problem to a solution. In
many quarters, however, there
are growing signs of discourage-
ment over the prospect and an
accompanying tendency to exam
inc carefully possibilities of the
postponement plans.
In highest American official
circles. it is said today that
concrete proposal for a further
conference might be laid before
the arms delegates within a few
days. President Harding was said
to feel such conference would be
a logical development Of his pol
icy in international consultations,
and it was indicated that he had
communicated his desires to the
American delegation.
Japan and France Firm.
Tonight the submarine tangle
apparently was as far as ever
from a settlement. despite con-
ferences between American dele
gates and those of Japan and
France, the two powers who are
holding out against the American
compromise proposal. The naval
committee, which has not met
since Saturday, will resume to-
morrow, but neither the French
nor Japanese expect to be in
position to modify their objections
to the American plan.
Negotiations over Shantung also
took on a more serious aspect to-
day when the Japanese, after
receipt of fresh instructions from
Toxic, let it be known that they
were not prepared to make any
changes with the Chinese over re-
turn of the Tsingtao- -Tsinan Flu
railroad. The Chinese already
have declared they can go no
further toward a compromise, but
in some conference circles there
still is hope that the two groups
may be brought together.
Treaty Is Discussed.
Meantime the new four-power
Pacific treaty, already signed by
the United States, Great Britain.
France and Japan, got back into
conference discussions through a
suggestion from japanese quar-
ters that the four powers agree
not to apply the terms Of the
pact to the principal islands of
the japanese empire. In view of
differences of view developing in
the United States and Japan as
to the meaning of the treaty, the
Japanese were said to be consid-
ering the suggestion of such an
interpretative agreement.
An Interpretation not applying
the treaty to the major japanese
islands would be a reversal of the
understanding said to have exist
ed among delegations when the
treaty was signed. 1t would be
adverse also to the interpretations
announced by the American dele
cation, but in harmony with that
voiced by President Harding.
Should Toxic decide formally to
suggest such an agreement, the
move might preeipitate an intri-
cate situation in the conference.
Another Suggestion.
Another suggestion involving in
teresting political considerations
came from French circles. 1t was
a hint, advanced informally while
the delegation waited for news of
the decision Of the cabinet in Paris,
that French might be willing to
agree to a status quo limitation of
submarine strength IL the other
powers would join with her in y
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