The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-01


Washington, Dec. 1.-The Chinese
arms conference delegation in the di-
rect negotiations on the Shantung
question. inaugurated today. will, ac-
cording to Chinese spokesmen, pro-
ceed on the basis that there are only
two points on which China is pre-
pared to negotiate, and that these are
Japans demand that TsingTao be de-
clared an open port and Japan's de-
mand that vested interests be re-
spected
The latter would be only partially
susceptible to negotiation. China, it
was stated, cannot negotiate control
of the Tsin -Tao-Tsi- -Nau-Fu railroad,
and has not receded from her position
taken at Versailles that Shantung be
Internationally returned by Japan.
Deadlock Continues.
The situation resulting from Japan's
formal proposal that the 60 per cent
naval ratio allotted her under the
American Limitation plan. be increased
, to 20 per cent, was regarded by Amer
lean officials today as delicate one
but not without hope that her spokes-
men ultimately would accept the orlgl-
nal plan.
Entirely removed, from the stage of
technical discussion as to the basis of
calculating the naval ratios on present
fleet strength, the question today.
through the formal requests of Baron
Admiral Kato, senior japanese dele
gate, that the increased ratio be rec
ogniZed as necessary to Japan's Sc
curity, had become a matter of policy
for settlement by the plenary dele
gates of the powers and not by their
technical advisers.
The proposal on this ground, it was
known today has been presented per
sonally by Baron Kato TO Secretary
Hughes and Arthur j. Bafour, head
of the British delegation, with the full
support it was said, of the japanese
government
May Cut Jap Ratio.
Regarding the argument of national
security, the American delegates ana
experts. backed by the opinion OF the
British delegates hold that its logcaI
application would mean a reduction
rather than an increase in the naval
ratio proposed for Japan, to which it
is known on authority they are as
strongly opposed on that basis as on
the showing of existing fleet compar-
isons.
With the subcommittee of experts
of the 'big three" naval powers at
formal disagreement on adjournlng
yesterday as to the basis to be used
| for these comparisons. it was consid-
cred today that further progress could
lie only in discussion between the
American and japanese delegates.
May Settle Shantung.
Dividing attention with the naval
situation today was the first meeting
of the representatives of China and
Japan with Secretary Hughes and
Arthur ]. Balfour, as respective heads
Of the American and British groups,
! to lay a basis for negotiations looking
1 to a settlement of the celebrated Shan
! tung controversy. The Chinese dele
! gates announced after accepting the
American and British offer of good
Offices" in the controversy that they
were entering the discussions prepared
| to accept nothing less than uncondi-
tional withdrawal of japanese claims
! in Shantung.
| In the absence of any definite indi-
cation of attitude it was assumed that
the japanese spokesmen would con-
! tend for the reservations insisted on
in the recent diplomatic exchange be-
tween Toxic and Peking.