The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-21
WANT LIGHT
ON HARDING
PACT VIEWS
Delegates Seek Clarifica
ton of -Four Ply
Statement.

Washington, Dec. s1.-By the
Associated Press The Brit
ish delegation today cancelled
reservations ii had made on a
steamer sailing from New York
on Dee. 81. 1t was stated that
members OF the delegation think
there is little chance of their
being able to leave before the
middle of January.
Washington, Dec. 21.-(By the As
sociated Press. )-Deyelopment of
the difference in view between
President Harding and the Amer
lean arms delegates as to appilca-
ton of the new fOur-power Pacific
treaty, and q break in the Chinese
Japanese negotiations on Shantung
had thrown the naval side of the
arms conference program today
somewhat into the background. Ac-
ceptance by France of the Amer
lean proposal of 175, 900 tons in
capital ships mad placed the naval
negotiations on a comparatively
smooth road again, although the
ratio in small defensive craft still
remained to be treated.
Won't Embarrass Meet.
Announc cling that he had mo OBJ
lection" to the construction of the
Pacific treaty agreed to by the
! American delegates, that il shall
apply to the principal islands of
the Japanese Empire, President
Harding declared in an informal
statement issued after he had ex-
pressed the opinion in an interview
with newspapermen yesterday, that
it did not apply to those Islands,
that the difference in view in
no wise will be permitted to EN-
barrass the conference OF the rati-
fcation of the agreement.
The presidents statement, issued
after a two hour conference with
Senators Lodge and Underwood Of
the American delegation, was the
first official confirmation that an
I understanding existed among the
delegations as to the application of
the treaty.
Was Personal View.
The presidents expression of
opinion on the matter, although
said by officials close to him %
have been made without conSulta-
ton with his state department ad-
visers, and without any intention
of announcing the administration ;
attitude, created at once an evil
dent desire among the Americans,
British, Japanese and French alike
that the attitude >of the American
government be clarified.
Baron Kato, head of the Japan
ese delegation. and one of those
who showed greatest interest in
the presidents attitude, said prior
to Mr. Harding's formal statement
that a pledge of secrecy prevented
him from divulging whether there
should be an agreement as to ap-
pication of the treaty. He added
that the meaning adopted at the
time of signing might be changed
in the future, so l can say nothing
at this time"
SinO-Jap Talk Ends.
Far eastern matters had assumed
added prominence today through
the abrupt adjournment yesterday
of the Shantung conferences be
tween the Chinese and japanese
DELEGATIONS. after the latter had an
/ nounced that they could proceed
no further on the question of re-
storation of the Kiao-Chow rail-
way to Chinese control without re-
! ferring certain points to Toxic for
| Instructions.
Although the adjournment came
with the delegations also still far
apart on the question CT financial
settlement by China for the road,
/ the chief stumbling block, regard
/ ed as threatening the entire Shan
tung negotiations, was the Japan
ese proposal that japanese experts
ba appointed in the service of the
/ railway.
The naval situation remained
more or less at a standstilI today
/ while the French delegates were
understood TO be preparing a def
/ mite proposal as to the amount of
/ auxiliary naval tonnage. including
/ submarines, desired as a condition
TO their acceptance of the us, 900
| proportion for capital ships, to be
presented at the meeting of the
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