Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1921-11-30
KATO Is TO
DEMAND THE
1907 RATIO
Japs Will Force a Decision
From the Naval Conferees
Has No Definite Rea-
son.

Washington, Nov. 29.-The Wash
ington arms conference is approach
ing its first great decision.
1t was announced last night by
Vice Admiral Kato, chief Japanese
naval expert, that Japan. seeks a
70 per cent naval ratio.
At the same time it was announc-
ed with equal authority that the
American delegation stands firmly
on Secretary Hughes 5-5-3 ratio pro-
posal, which means SO per cent
status for Japan. The conference
ultimately must reconcile these two
views or accept one or the other, to
reach agreement on naval limita-
tons.
| Vice Admiral Kato said the 20
lper cent ratio was the minimum
necessary for Japanese security"
The American view is that 60 per
cent for Japan is the maximum ma
val strength that could be accepted,
| in view of American liabilities in
the Pacific.
No Change in Plan.
Tomorrow the naval experts of
the five powers will hold their first
meeting in nearly a week. They
have finished their inter-group dis
cussion of the American plan, SC
far as it's major factors are concern
led. Developments yesterday and
last night indicate that they will
return the matter to the conference
delegates without recommendations
for important notifications.
The experts have completed their
analysis of the major elements OF
the plan and it can be said authori-
tatively for the American group
that no technical flaw in the Hughes
proposal has been revealed.
The American basic offer of a
$3.50" naval ratio between Great
Britain, the United States and ia
pan has stood, in American opinion
every test of fact applied by the
experts. 1t is today, as it was the
jday Secretary Hughes gave it voice
the hub of the whole matter.
Facts Uphold U. S.
The American experts are expected
to report that the basis Of fact un-
DERIVING the American plan IS as
stated What action British or Jan
anese experts may take it not known
The experts, however, will clear
the way for action by the confer
ence on the principles involved.
American officials are very hope
full that the utterances of Arthur j
Balfour for the British group will
fprove to have been an acceptance OF
the principles of the American pro
posal. They were widely construed
in that way at the time, but neces-
sarily whatever was then said was
subject to an agreement as to the
facts upon which the plan was
predicated.
/ HO udNoA CapCItS DILL Wei z ooh'
| ing and answering questions yester-
! day, but these are said to have had
to do with the subsidiary elements
of the plan. The capital ship fig
ures apparently were beyond the
stage of technical discussion ano
ready for translation into forma
agreement at an early date. AL
other elements of the scheme hinge
on that factor.
May Keep the Mutsu.
Next in interest to the 5-5-3 ratio
proposal has stood the discussion OF
the Japanese battleship Mutsu
There were authoritative indications
in American circles yesterday that
this is regarded as of secondary i'm,
portance, provided any proposal fol
retention of the Mutsu does not al
| ter the 1913 relative standing be-
tween the United States and Japan
1t was suggested informally that
If Japan is bent on keeping the
Mutsu she may possibly negotiate
| an agreement to do so by offering
to scrap instead one of the four bat
tie cruisers she would retain under
the American plan.