Evening star., 1921-11-18
|PARLEY DELEGATES
NOW DIGGING IN
|ntrenching With Arguments
and Data to Support
Positions.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

II 1t were appropriate to apply a
smile, usually employed in a belIig-
erent sense, to a peace conference,
it might be said That today the sew
eral delegations to the arms limita-
tion conference have reached the
''digging-in" stage. That is to say,
they are intrenching themselves with
arguments and technical data to sup
! port their positions and policies.
Today the Japanese are at work
upon both branches of the agenda.
limitation of armament and the prop
ositions put forth by China. The
official outline of Japan's ideas of
| notifications of the American naval
plan suggest an increase of the ton
mage allotted to her and a further
increase, possibly up to a parity with
the other nations. of ships to be
cIassed as of purely defensive char
acter.
Today, also, the Japanese are con-
sidering in detail the suggestions in
the formal statement of China, pre-
paratory to making a definite reply to
the committee or far eastern ques-
tions tomorrow.
Preparing Material o.. Subs.
The United States is still consider
ing in the strictest executive pro-
cedure the Chinese propositions. while
the naval experts are hammerine
away on material for support of the
submarine tonnage plan proposed by
this country and resisted by Great
Britain
Nothing in this situation, however.
should be taken to indicate that the
conference is approaching deadlock.
1t rather indicates. it is claimed. a
normal and healthy difference of
opinion and divergence Of views that
can be readily composed by negotiation
and expected to yield to compromise.
From their respective intrench-
ments behind their arguments and
data the powers can negotiate terms
which in the end are still confidently
counted upon to be contributory to
the accomplishment of the great
outstanding objects of the interna-
tional conference.
VIII Explain Army Stand!
Early next week, it is expected, a
plenary session of the conference
will be held, at which Premier BRAND
Of France may describe Frances at
titude toward limitation of land
forces. Premier BRAND and M
Viviani are reported as contemplat-
ing sailing for France the latter part
of next week.
The present purpose of the leading
men in the delegations. who are
looked to to shape the policies of the
conference. is said to be to secure as
soon as possible definite form to the
Limitation of naval armament plan
and to the basis for the settlement of
China's problems.
After that there will still be an
enormous amount Of work ahead in
connection with the remaining agenda
Of the conference. 1t is not thought
probable that the conference will
make any essential additions to the
agenda as originally presented by the
United States.
Success Depends ON Compromise.
It is apparent that the extent of the
success of the conference in dealing
with its two-fold objects of Limitation
Of armament and disposition of far
eastern questions will depend upon
the degree of spirit of concession,
compromise and sacrifice which shall
prevail.
The leaders thus far see no out
groupings of indications warrantine
them to apprehend diminution of the
pronounced atmosphere of amiability
which dominates at the present hour.
There are as yet no rumors of obsti-
nate resistance to the general drift
OF the proceedings and their forecast
ference.
The optimists are still holding tight
and do not fear that they are riding
II, fall n. 80