The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-12
FOUR POWER TREATY
Is In FINAL FORM
Agreement on Naval Ratio Regarded
as Practically Assured as Confer
ence Goes Into Fifth Week.
lnx The AssoeIated Pressl

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-With the
Horsepower treaty in final form and an
agreement on naval ratio regarded as
practically assured, the arms confer
ence goes into its fifth week with its
principals confident they can wind up
all their major duties here by the end
of the year.
The problems of the far east and de-
tails of the naval reduction program
including the question of Pacific island
fortihcationls and naval bases, now be-
come the subjects of primary consid-
Grafton The far eastern discussions
are to be pressed forward at daily
meetings of the committee of the whole
at the same time that the naval
situation is clearing up through con-
tinued communication with the foreign
capitals. and while the separate nego-
tiations over Shantung and zap are
verging toward decision.
Although there are indications that
Japan is about ready to accept the
American "5-5-3' naval ratio, 1t is not
considered unlikely that she may re-
frain from committing herself defin-
itely until there is a clearer under
oAcl1AA4lAS dDOdJ 4blGlAG 10IL4llGdllOllS vi
the Pacific islands. There has been a
general indication that all the powers
are willing to assent to an arrange
ment by which all present defenses in
Pacific waters would, be retained and
none added in the future, but the
question is yet to he made the subject
of formal exchanges.
Further instructions from Toxic
We're received today by the Japanese
delegates. The nature of the message
was not revealed, but there were evil
dences that the Japanese were pre-
pairing to canvass the situation relative
to Pacific bases before going further
Afterwards a similar declaration may
he made as respects Siberia, but it is
possible that the separate pronouncementi
on that subject now understood to be
contemplated by Japan may be accepted
as sufficient.
with the naval ratio discussions. The
two subjects have been long regarded
by Japan as inseparably linked, and
her desire to dispose of both at one
time is not regarded as a serious bar
rier to a ratio agreement.
The negotiations relative to China,
although proceeding separately, also
are receiving the careful attention of
the Japanese, while the naval question
is in allegiance, and there have been
some hints that they would prefer to
see decision in that quarter also be-
fore they make their acceptance of the
$50" final and binding.
1t is the general expectation that the |
result Of the far eastern discussions |
will he a united declaration of policy |
by the nine nations represented here,
the -four points of Elihu |
Root, and making such specific appli- /
cation of them as may be found /
possible. Such a declaration, a part
Of which is given official sanction by /
the nine nations at yesterdays session.
t. was expected would finally take the
form of a "gentIeman's understand
ng. Some of the plenipotentiaries
however, want to write it into treaty,
and decision on that spoint is yet to |
be reached.
When the four power Pacific treaty
consummated yesterday is to be signed
by the representatives Of the United
States, Great Britain, Japan and France
is still an unanswered question, it is the
impressions among some of the delegates
hoWSNeFS lnaI the formal signature may
be delayed until the naval problem is
settled and that President Harding viii /
not send it to the Senate for ratification i
unil after the conference is over.
Over Sunday consideration of the new
treaty among members of the treaty.
ratifying branch of the government de-
yeloped indications that the leaders of
both the republican and democratic par
ties viii stand united for it's approval
Senator Underwood, the democratic lead
er, is one of the Americans who win sign
the treaty as plenipotentiaries, and his
advocacy of ratification win be seconded
on the democratic side by Senator Hitch
cock, senior democrat member of the for
eign relations committee.
While the naval ratio and Pacific forth
hcations questions move towards de-
cislon other details of the general naval
problem are coming into prominence
First among them to be given detailed
consideration probably this week, are the
proportionate strength to be fixed for
France and Italy, and the questions Of
modification in the naval holiday plan |
and in the suggested submarine tonnage
as fixed in the American reduction pro-
posal
When these more or less collateral
subjects are out of the way, and the high
spots Of the Far Eastern negotiations
and the naval ratio discussions them
selves are disposed of. it is probable hat II
the principal delegates VIII go home. H
leaving various commissions to work out Il
further details and communicate them df-
rectly TO the several foreign offices.
II