Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1921-12-13
To HURRY ACTION ON NAVAL
LIMITATION AGREEMENT.

Washington, Dec. 12.-CBy the A P)
New machinery to expedite nal ac-
ton on naval limitation agreements was
set up today by the arms conference. At
the suggestion of the Amrican group. the
former committee of experts was scrap
ped in favor of Committee Of fifteen
including both plenary delegates and civil
and naval experts of the five powers.
The whole subject Of naval limitations in
Guiding the cornerstone "fve-five-three"
ratio was turned over to the NV COM
mittee to be put in final shape for the
conference
Meanwhile. It became known that the
Japanese delegation had received instruc-
tbs from Toxic regarding the "five-five-
three" ratio. The nature of the COM
munication was not disclosed.
The Committee of fifteen" was descFT5
ed by a British spokesman as a mesSc to
short circuit delays unavoidable in the
previous division of labor between com
tees of naval experts.
There were indications that the new
step was based upon an informal COM
unication fro the Japanese delegation that
Japan stood ready to accept the "five-fve-
three ratio subject to certain modifca-
tions in detail OF the American proposal.
1t appeared likely that 1t would become
the business Of the committee of frteen"
J to write into treaty form for signature by
all five powers the definite agreement
based on the "five-hye-three'' proposal
but carried out in detail.
The big Three of the naval con-
! ference, Secretary Hugres Arthur J. Bal
four and Admiral Saron Kato. met to-
4 day and are understood to have consid-
cred the naval ratio problem but no an
nouncement of what occurred at the
meeting was made.
Secretary Hughes will head the Ameri-
can group on the committee of fifteen
aided by Assistant Secretary Roosevelt as
civilian adviser. and by a naval officer
Rear Admiral Pratt of thu general hoard
seemed tonight to be the most logical
choice for naval expert. Admiral Coontz
being occupied with his duties as chief
of naval operations
Mr.. Balfcur will head the British group
aided by Lord Lee as civilian adviser
and Rear Adm'..7l Chatheld of the Brit
ish nava'" aft as expert.
Baron Kato will head the Japanes'
group. His selections for advisers were
not announced. nor were the Italian ant
French committee groups ready for an
nouncement tonight No meeting Ct tn
new committee has been called as yet.
1t was regarded as probable that Jap
anese acceptance OF the "5-5-3" rati,
now hinges to some extent upon an agree
ment as to naval bases in the Pacific
Whether this is to be worked out Il
the treaty was not disclosed. There i
a disposition in American circles. how
ever. to accep a status quo understsndin
on Pacific bases and Notifications and in
|, dications are that Japan would be conten
with this.
The British group strongly present
the case Of Great Britain in urging ute
abolishment CT submarines There Is lit
tie doubt that an effort to bring Brit
j, ish arguments for such a course sharpl
to world attention by way OF the confer
, ence Is to be made. Flat assertion tina
British agreement to the vital $3.50" key
stone of The American proposal was no
contingent on submarine aooiisnmen
however, semed to preclude the possib.l:t
of any deadlock on that point.
For Italy, spokesmen declared she ha
Q come to the conference in full sympath
!, with its purpose to reduce naval force
d and planned no request for increase /
her. present naval strength. France wa
said by the Italians to have at preser
T $4,000 tons in dreadnaughts and T4.0o
e tons in pre-dreadnaughts as against +
I aly's $4,000 tons in dreadnaughts an
$1,000 tons in pre-dreadnaughts.
To what extent the Italian claim I
naval parity with France. if formally pr
sented, may conf2licate the ratio situatio
Y is not apparent. The French group han
not Indicated in any formal way whi
>. naval strength they would ask and recal
: action of the French chamber in votir
d heavy naval appropriations hah been e,
n planned as only to carry on work prev
a ously authorized.
rel The whole question as to Franco-Its
ian ratios Is purely speculative as y,