Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-19
Look for Long Wrangle
With French on Ratio

Washington, Dec. 17-(By A. Ply
Although further instructions from
Paris are expected generally to soft
en- somewhat the attitude taken by
the French delegates toward the
problem of naval ratio, many men,
bers of the arms conference are look
ing forward to an animated and per-
haps prolonged discussion before the
French views finally are brought into
accord with those OF the other pow
ers.
There apparently is little expecta-
ton in American, British, japanese
or Italian circles that the French
government will insist rigidly on the
proposal of its naval experts, al
| ready presented to the conference.
for a French capital fleet of $4,000
tons, but at the same time enough of
French opinion on the subject has
been revealed to dampen hope that
the counter proposal for 175,0OO
ton fleet will be readily accepted 1t
| would not surprise some of the dele
| gates If the discussion lasted into the
new year and upset the plans of the
| British to sail for home in December.
Until the word expected momentarily
from Paris is received, however, no
one in authority will make a predic-
ton as to the probable date when the
conference will be over.
! So far as the Far Eastern problems
are concerned, there seems to be lit
tie to delay an adjournment. The
! Shantung negotiations are under
stood to have brought the japanese
and Chinese almost to an agreement
on that subject, and only few items
on the Far Eastern agenda remain
to be considered. The delegates seem
to be generally of the opinion that if
tn naval problem can be solved. the
Far Eastern end of the conference
would be wound up speedily.
Chinas request for abrogation of
the 1915 treaty resulting from the
twenty one demands form the most
formidable immediate stumbling block
in the way of a Far Eastern accord.
but in many quarters it is believed
that the point never will be stubborn
ly pressed. Japan alrea dy has object
cd to discussing Of treaty by the con-
that no nation can he compelled to
talk about a question It considers out =
side the scope of the conference. In
addition there have been hints of
strong support from other powers for
the Japanese contention that the con-
ference should not attempt to go in
tc "closed Incidents"
Neither is it considered likely that
there will be any attempt to dis FUSS
the problems of Siberia in detail as
has been done in the case of China.
The japanese are said to he prepar-
ing a general declaration of policy for
! future protection of the territorial in l.
teGrity of Siberia and some of the del
cgatcs believe the conference can we'll
| accept such a declaration as cover
/ ing the situation. Others want to see
a joint declaration Of the same kind
by all the powers. but of a charact
negotiations.
To the naval discussions, which now
form the all -absOrbing concern of the
! conference. Over-Sunday develop
ments added little.
1t is naturally to be expected. in the
opinion of conference circles. that the
$50. 900 tons plan drawn up by Admir-
al De Bon. the chief French naval adj
wiser. will have great weight in deter
mining the final decision of the off
Gals at Paris. At the same time,
however. it is believed that the French
| government cannot regard the pro-
posal except in the light Of the defin-
lite reflections already voiced by the
other powers. and that as result
there may he an attempt by the
French foreign office to frame a new
plan which may have some promise of
acceptance here.