The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-29
NAVAL RATIO OE
 7O PER CENT IS
 ASKED BY JAPAN
American Delegation Stands Firmly on 5-5-3 Proposal, Which Means 60 Per
 Cent Status for laps
By Assoclated Press

Washington, November 28.-The Washington arms conference is ap- preaching it's first great decision.
 It was announced tonight by Vice Admiral Kato, chief Japanese naval expert, that Japan seeks 70 per cent naval ratio. At the same time, it was announced with equal author ity, that the American delegation stood firmly on Secretary Hughes "5-5-3" ratio proposal, which means a 60 per cent status for Japan. The conference ultimately must reconcile these two views or accept one or the other to reach agreement on naval limitations.
 Vice Admiral Knto snid the
 military per cent ratio was the
 minimum necessary for Japan
 csc security.
 The American view is that 60
 per cent for Japan is the maxi
 mum naval strength that could
 be accepted fin view of American
 liabilities In the Pacific.
 Tomorrow the naval experts of the five powers will hold their first meeting In nearly week. They have concluded their inter-group dis cussion of the American plan, so far as its major factors are concerned. Developments today and tonight indi- oated that they would return the matter to the conference delegates without recommendations for impor- tant notifications.
 Estimates Correct
 The American experts are satisfied that the original estimates of naval strength on which the Hughes plan was based were correct What form the committee report may take is not clear. Presumably the British -offi~ cers are in accord with the Amer ican view in many respects. The at titude of French and Italian experts has not been formally disclosed.
 Yet there was some indication that action by the committee of experts to sustain the American estimate of naval facts and figures was ex- pected Whether the Japanese experts would submit minority views In that case was not known.
 In any event, it seems likely
 thnt the ,scene of action will be
 transferred within the week from
 the experts to the committee
 room where the delegates of the
 five powers must weigh ques-
 tions of policies as well as of
 facts. Presumably the Japanese
 group Is prepared to continue its
 argument there for . 10-10-7
 fleet ratio instead of the Amer
 lean b-5-3 proposal. To that ex-
 tent Japanese tnsistaSce may he
 carried in committee or later be-
 fore the conference itself, how
 ever, is still to be disclosed.
 Vice Admiral Kato, in his state- ment, declared that tho military per cent ratio was "the minimum of strength required" for Japan's secur- ity. He added this comment:
 Must Be in Accord
 People of all countries must be in full agreement Gas to limitation of armaments). Otherwise, even though an agreement may be made. 1t might create an unpleasant feeling and de- feat its purpose"
 For competent American naval opinion, 1t may be said with author ity though high officers cannot be quoted directly, that the "5-5-3" pro- posal is viewed as the absolute maxi mum of concession to Japan in view of the American interests and lfabil- tiles in the Pacific. Naval opinion here holds that actual security would require d Iu-o idtlO dS d6elihst CdPah owing to distances. probable causes of conflict and similar matters.
 For that reason, the American "5-5-3" plan is viewed as not only a written assurance of utter lack of any American purpose in the Pacific inimical to legitimate Japanese in terests, but as an assumption of similar friendly attitude on the part of Japan. On no other theory, to na- IA warranted, backed as it is by the of fer to scrap or discontinue more than twice the amount of the new tonnage Japan Is asked to.
 Covers Whole Ground
 Reference by Vice Admiral kato to Japan's limited steel output and shipbuilding facilities as warranting her desire for a 70 per cent fleet status recalled the original view taken of Secretary Hughes "5-5-3" ratio proposal. That ratio, 1t is .as- serted, goes far beyond any attempt at the almost impossible task of set ting down In figures of estimates of naval strength relatively. It is based on the whole situation of the two powers chiefly concerned. It includes all allowance for American ship building resources in the estimate of the relative strength at sea, officers say, for that as well as each battle ship now afloat has it's place in fixing a fair naval proportion not subject to suspicion as cloaking hostile designs.
 In other words, these officers con- tend, the United States could build and maintain against Japan on two to one or even a three to one scale if 1t Is desired. If it is to abandon that advantage, they add, to end navel
 fContinued on Page TwO)