The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-14
Hughes Plan, With Slight Modi-
ficatiOnS, To Go Thru.
Secret Session of ''Big Three"
to Smooth Out Wrinkles.
CHINA PRESENTS GRIEVANCES
Far East Conference Also Meets
Behind Locked Doors.
Final Agreement on All Ques-
tions Certain This Week.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE big
three" of the Hughes,
Balfour and Kato-win resume their
discussions late today over the ALL
important question of naval ratio. with
indications pointing strongly to
Japan's acceptance of the 5-5-3 ratio
and her retention of the battleship
Mutsu. for which she has waged s.
determined campaign.
In British quarters today it was in
timated that an agreement already has
been reached on the proposition of
Japan's accepting the so per cent ratio
and keeping the Mutsu, but this could
not be confirmed in American head
quarters.
The meeting between Secretary
Hughes. Mr.. Balfour and Baron Kato
was called for o'clock.
United States to Keep Ships.
It is taken as a foregone. conclusion
Iif Japan retains the Mutsu the United
States will keep either the Colorado
Great Britain will be allowed to COM
piete one or two of her super-Hoods
British advisers professed the belief
that this could be accomplished with
out seriously upsetting the original
ratio.
There has been little progress in the
last twenty-four hours. In the private
conversations between members of the
big three-Hughes, Balfour and Kato
Japan has informed the United
States and Great Britain that the $3.50
ratio is acceptable if she is allowed to
retain the Mutsu.
Despite the aversion of both the
United States and Great Britain to
modification of the original Hughes
capital ship program japanese circles
are confident that Baron Kato's argu
ments will prove effective, and that
the whole controversy will be settled
by the end of the week.
China Has Grievances.
China presented a list of grievances
against the system of spheres of in
fluence" at today's secret session OF
the Far East committee. meeting in
the Pan-American building. The list
was presented by DR.. c. H. Wang,
chief justice of China. and one of the
principal delegates.
Discussion of the chief objections
was frustrated by Japan's delegates.
who asked for time to consider the
Chinese data before they came up for
general discussion.
Today's session was brief. lasting
less than an hour.
Communique Is Brief.
The text of the official communique
on the session follows:
"The committee on Pacific and Far East
ern questions met this morning, December
Il, at IL o'clock. The committee took up
the question of spheres of influence and
special interests in China, and the chair
man stated that in view of the situation
with regard to the matter Of naval aFma-
ment, it seemed Advisable to give an op-
pOrtunity for necessary conversations and
discussions and also for meetings OF the
subcommittee on naval armament. in order
that an agreement this subject should
be reached at the earliest possible moment
Chinese and Jananesa deiegafes were eon
cerned with the Shantung conversations
and in order that the greatest progress
chairman took the liberty Of suggesting
that the general committee on Pacific and
Far Eastern questions should have a short
session this morning and then should take
n recess subject to the call of the chair.
This suggestion was unanimously ap
proved ="