The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-18

Tn the meantime Japan made
 known formally her desire to
 modify the American plan of
 naval limitations so to give
 her n "sifghtly greater" relative
 strength, and the opposition of
 the British to the submarine
 quota suggested by the united
 states gave evidence of such de-
 termlnation ms to attract the at-
 tention of the whole body of
 delegates.
 The days work seemed to indi- cate that the first impetus of the conference was giving way to a period of more deliberate discussion which preclude the possibility of out standing developments for the im- mediate future. Plans were made. however, to tackle Che third big job of the conference, tho limitation of land ornaments, early next week at an open session at winch Premier Briand will make a far-reaching declaration of the views of France.
 The big, hines session on far east ern questions today was largely given over to a discussion to the methods of procedure. The decision to permit each of the powers to pre- sent general statement on the sub jsect before attempting to settle spa cific problems is understood to have had the indorsement of all the heads of delegations. although Japan made it plain she accepted the Chinese plasl only 'as a basis of discussion" It was decided also. that when specific points are reached. the Chinese ten points" are to be interlaced with ths items of the American agenda in de- termininE details of procedure.
 A contributing factor to the
 two days delay wns said to be
 the Illness of Baron shideharn. the
 Jnpanese nmbnssador who Is in
 charge of far eastern affairs for
 his government. It was under
 stood. however. thnt the time re-
 quircd to communicate with
 ToISio have combined to make an
 immediate statement of Japnn's
 views impossible. It is expected
 that when this petition is ready
 1t will be given to the public ns
 evidence of Jnpan's willingness
 to proceed with the discussion in
 the open.
 The American which has been un- derstood to be In general accord with the Japanese. continued it's silence. The French declared their willing ness to give up their extra territorial privileges and their lease to Kauans Toheou, provided their governments title to French Indo-China was un- questioned. For china's aspirations they expressed sympathy but they also indicated that Japan's need of expansion in some quarter could not be minimized.
 Formal announcements by Admiral Baron Kato that Japan would ask for greater preparation of strength than. had been proposed for her in the American plan became tonight the center of attention in the naval armaments negotiations. Mixing the first explanation of the resefvations with which Japan accepted the plan. Baron Kato also announced that his government desired the right to possess at least one ship of the most formidable defensive type included in the armaments of Great Britain and the United States. He explained that he did not refer to submarines, but would not indicate what class of vessel was in his mind.
 The view behind the British objec- tions Is that the quota of 90.000 tons in submarines suggested by the American plan for both Great Britain and the United States is far too large. The British in fact, would like to see the submarine abandoned en- tirely, but there are considerations of national defense which impels the American delegates to hold determine edly to the figure they first pro- posed. Late today the question was discussed by the American delega- tion with Theodore Roosevelt. the American representative on the con- ference committee of naval experts. but there was no indication of re- cession by either the United States or Great Britain.