The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-19

This was the outstanding devei-
opment today In connection with the
conference aud was accepted in
most quarters as considerably post
ponias what had been predicted
would be an early adjournment OF
the Washington meeting.
With agreement definitely reached
on the American British japanese
ratios and with the shantung con
versations4 moving steadily toward
an aufeahle understanding between
the Chinese and Japanese negotia-
tors. most deiegatl tons had pre-
pated te arrange the remaining af-
fairs of the conference in which
they We're Interested so that subor-
dinate commissions might be left to
handle them
The Impression gained among
other delegations was that IL
France Insisted ON the 5-5-3-3
ratio comprised in the proposal
put forward Thursday. she
would find IA solid opposition.
Neither from standpoint of
national security nor from thnt
of "present status'' ON which the
whoie scheme Of limitation is
huiIt. II was declared. could the
French delegation defend the
claim to such n standing In the
worlds deIinited naval concert.
FRENCH NAY PR0LoNG
SESSIONS or FARLEY
Washington. December IS-AI-
though further Instructions from TAR
is are expected generally to soften
somewhat the attitude taken by the
French delegates toward the prob
lem of naval ratio, many members of
the arms conference are look ny for
ward to an animated and perhaps
prolonged discussion before the
French views finally are brought into
accord with those Of the other powers.
There apparently Is little expecta
ton in American. British, Japanese
or Italian circles that the French
government will insist rigidiy on the
proposal of it's naval experts already
presented to the conference, Tor u
French capital fleet of $50 0G0 TONS,
but at the same time enough of French
opinion on the subject has been re-
vealed to dampen hope that the coun-
ter proposal for a 1880 ton fleet will
be readily accepted.
1t would not surprise some Of the
delegates If the discussion lasted into
the new year and upset the plans OF
the British to sail for home in Deeem-
Der.
End of Conference
Until the word. expected momentar-
+ tarily from Paris, is read, however.
/ no one in authority now viii make
Ia prediction as to the probable date
when the conference VIII be over
| So far as the far eastern problems
are concerned. there seems to be little
to delay an adjournment. The Shan
tung negotiations are understood 10
have brought the Japanese and CHI
nese almost TO an agreement on that
81 bject, and only few items on the
far eastern agenda remain TO be coti-
sdered. Some Of them appear at first
glance as likely. 20 be dtlcuit 10
handle yet the delegates seem to be
generally of the opinion that as SOON
as the naval problem ean he solved
the far eastern end of the conference
will be wound upsspeedily
Stumbling Block
China's request for abrogation-oE
the 1915 treaties, resulting from the
q demands from the mos formidable
immediate stumbling block in tho
way of a far eastern accord, but iii
many quarters it is believed that the
point never win be stubbornly pressed
Japan already has objected to discus
sion of the treaties by the conferences
and II Is recognized generally that no
nation can be compelled to talk about
question it considers outside the
scope of the conference In addition.
there have been hints of strong sup
port from other powers for the JaEoe
lnese contention that the confereacH
Should not attempt to go into CLOSED
Incidents"
Neither is it considered likely that
there vii be any attempt to discuss
the problems of Siberia in detail as
has been done in the Use of China,
IThe Japanese are said to be preparing
general declaration of policy for flu
ture protection of the territorial in
tegrity of Siberia and some of the
delegates believe the conference can
%el accept such a declaration as COW
erine- the situation. Others want TO
see Joint declaration II the same
kind by all the power, hut OF i
character so bP'Sld as not to require
,,,...Y ,snssed ugagtiatiOuS