Norwich bulletin., 1921-12-15
ment.

Washington. Dec. If CBy the A. P.)-, The arms conference delegates ha1.s reached an agreement on all the major iseues of the naval ratio but are en- countering new difficulties in their dis cussions on the far east
 The American '5-5-3'' ratio forms the basis of the naval settlement. but there are to be readjustments in the original American plan to permit Japan to retain her new battlcship Mutsu. The United States and Great Britain will be given compensative quota of additional ships not yet determined in detail.
 In the far eastern negotiations the latest element of controversy is a re- quest by China for abrogstion of the treaties resulting from Japan's famous twenty-one demands" When the re- quest was presented to the far eastern committee of the whole today the Jap anese promptly sobjected and the com mittee adjourned.
 Coming at a time when the ShantunE negotiations are at critical stage. the Chinese abrogation proposal has some what beclouded the prospects of a far eastern agreement. but most of the del egaies remain confident of an ultimate solution
 Another meeting Of the Fig Three" late today advanced the naval question nearer othe point of final and detsil- cd settlement. but left some minor points still to be determined. Tn all | quarters announcement Of a complete accord was regarded as only a ques- ton of hours.
 As an offset to Japanese retention of the Mutsu. the United States is to re- tain the super dreadnaughis Washington and Colorado. and an equivalent in- screase In British capital ship tonnage is to be provided. The details of this 1 British increase constitute the only point still to he decided
 Coupled with the naval agreement Ia the proposed treaty will he a status quo" understanding on Pacific fortif- cations and naval bases. exclusive of Hawaii. and the islands of the Japanese Australian and New Zealand coasts. The plan means abandonment of the Ameri- can Island Of Guam as a potential na- val base
 Temporarily the naval question Is re. ceiving major attention from the armi
 delegates. but there were indications to day that the increasing seriousness o the far eastern differences might soor
 require the principal figures If the con
 ference to turn their efforts to that dl
 rection
 ArAANd request INT dOTOEdflNn NT m "twenty-one demands treaties was ecu
 pied with a suggestion that the power also take some definite and formal ster toward abolition Of existing spheres a
 Influence" in the far east. There Wa
 no discussion in the committee but , was evident tonight that the Jaranes would not stand alone in opposing th abrogation proposal.
 In the Shantunc conversation. th.
 present point of controversy is the com pensation that China is to give for Jan , anese improvements on tho Kiaochov railroad. The Japanese have asked fo Q instructions from Tokio. but suhiec+ 6 , favorable response from their gov
 ernment. offered today to withdra-
 from the railroad in the event of a sat n istactory compensation arrangement { Tn the view of some of the Chimes , delegates the financial guarantees de e sired hv Japan as a condition of he
 withdrawal amount to virtual nerretua
 ton of Japanese control over tho roa, = The suggestion has been made in som f quarters that a new Big Four" com = posed of heads of the American. Briiis' . Japanese and Chinese delegations. i
 asked to take the question under ad
 visement.