The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-12-28

brought forth new proposal, to
limit the SIZE Of submarine and
other auxiliary to maximum of
10000 tons. .,..s. 4
Washington, Dec. 2S.-(By the AS.
sociated Press. 1.-The submarine con.
troversy has revealed so wide differ
ence of opinion among the powers
that the arms delegates are seriously
discussing a plan to leave the whole
question OF auxiliary warship tonnage
to later International conference.
So far consideration Of the project
has been entirely informal, with con
ference leaders ioutwardly rejecting q
hope that the present negotiations
may yet bring the submarine problem
to a solution. In many quarters, how
ever, there are growing signs of dis
'couragement over the prospect and an
accompanying tendency to examine
carefully the possibilities Of the post.
ponement plan.
In highest American Official circles
it was said today that a concrete pro-
posal for future conference might
be laid before the arms delegates
within a few days. President Hard.
ings was said to feel such confer
ence would be logical development
of his policy Of international consul
tatton and it was indicated he had
communicated his desires to the
American delegation.
Japan Has Gone Limit
Last night the submarine tangle ap-
parently was as far as ever from a
settlement despite conference be-
tween the American delegates and the
plenipotentiaries of Japan and
France the two powers who are hold
ing out against the American COM
promise proposal.
The naval committee will resume its
sessions tomorrow, but neither the
French nor Japanese expect to be in
position to modify their objections
to the American plan.
The negotiations over Shantung also
took on more serious aspect today
when the Japanese after receipt OF
fresh instructions from Toxic, let 1t
be known that they were not prepared
to make any further concessions in
their exchanges with the Chinese over
return of the Using Tao-Tsinanifu
railroad. The Chinese already have
declared they can go no further
toward a compromise, but in some
conference circles there still is hope
that the two groups may be brought
together.
Nav Change Interpretation.
Meantime the new four power Pa
cific treaty already signed by the
United States, Great Britain, France
and Japan got back into conference
discussions through suggestion from
Japanese quarters that the four pow
ers agree not to apply the terms OF
the pact to the principal islands oi
the Japanese empire. III view OF diff
ferences of view developing in the
United States and Japan as to the
meaning of the treaty the japanese
we're said to be considering the slg'
gestion of such an intcrpretative
agreement.
An Interpretation not applying the
treaty to the major Japanese islands
would be a reversal Of the under
standing said to have existed among
the delegations when the treaty waff
signed. 1t would be adverse also tc
the Interpretation announced by the
American delegation, but in harmony
with that voiced by President Hard
ing. Should the Toxic government de
eide formally to suggest such al
agreement, the move might precipi
tate an intricate situation in the con
ference.
Another suggestion Involving inter
esting political considerations cam
today from French circles. It was
hint, advanced informally while tn
delegation waited for news Of the de
cis'ons OF the cabinet in Paris. tha
France might he willing to agree t
status quo limitation Of submarin
strength if the other powers woul'
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