The New York herald., 1921-11-24
China and Naval Question
Engage Whole Efforts
of Conferees.
REPLAGEMENTs SERIOUS
Experts Object to Naval H0li-
day. but Public Liking
Is Evident.
BY wICKHAM sTEED.
Editor Of the London Times.

Editor of the London, Times.
Copyright, 1921, BY. UAited -Netos.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %. - Rumors,
statements, counter statements and
corrections seem likely to form the
substance of conference news for the
next few days. On both it's main issues
the conference has now reached posi-
ton in which much discussion Of de-
tail and drafting of suggestions will
necessarily precede any definite agree
ment.
What may be called for short the
naval question and the Chinese ques-
ton are undergoing this treatment.
Until it is completed no reliable view
OF the situation will be possible. Mean
while the public should be on its guard
against partial statements, some Of
which may be the outcome Of an
artistic desire on the part Of news
paper men to provide readable "sto-
ries," and others may be attributable
TO the wish Of some delegates to steal
a march upon their competitors for
public favor.
Naval Solution May Tarry.
The naval question seems for the mo-
ment to be under cloud. Japan de-
sires. apparently, to obtain an allotment
OF 20 per cent Of battleship strength as
compared with the United States and the
British Empire. She might ultimately
accept 65 per cent, but she is likely TO
drive a shrewd bargain. Any change
in the ratio $3.50 which allotted to Japan
so per cent. Of the British and the
American battleship strength. would in
volve complicated adjustments. On this
point, therefore, the solution may tarry.
A controversy on percentages has be-
gun also between France and Italy. The
ratio originally though not officially.
contemplated for the French and the
Italian navies was 2-2. or 40 per cent.
of battleship strength for each, as COM
pared with 100 per cent. for the United
States and the British Empire and Go
per cent for Japan An announcement,
which was apparently authorized by
French naval experts. suggested yester-
day that France might insist on Teceiv-
ing percentage of battleship or capital
ship strength equal to that of Japan,
and upon q full quota of submarine ton
mage. That announcement reused Italian
aDDrelcnSlOuS,
determined to demand equality with
France at whatever ratio of strength
the conference may establish. But,
under the influence OF NJ. BRAND. the
French announcement has now been
qualified If not entirely withdrawn,
and Italian apprehensions are allayed
If not removed.
intervals. They should not disturb pub
lie equanimity. Among the larger aspects
of the naval question the most impor-
tant will be the arrangements for the re-
placement of capital ships. The ques-
ton of replacement is serious. both in
trinsicaily and because it is intimately
connected with the project for ten
year naval holiday. There is reason to
believe that American naval experts now
see the drawbacks to the naval holiday
idea. and understand the Importance OF
graduating the age of battleships that
are to mature for replacement. No one
can say whether their advice will make
headway against the popular liking for
the idea of a complete naval holiday, but
IL is evident that any modification or
this idea must come from the Americans
themselves.
When the Chinese question Is APP
preached this fluidity is accentuaterl.
The American public are less familiar
with the complexities OF the Chinese
puzzle than with the main data of the
naval question. On Tuesday. for in
stance, the committee on the Far East
dealt with the Chinese tariff issue and
took into consideration what would ap-
pear to be some thoroughly misleading
arguments in regard to the Chinese mar
itme customs.
Gayly Ignores Facts.
The form in which those arguments
a-e PIT before the public by some
American writers to-day makes it seem
RS though all that " needed to insure
The prosperity . .f,ina would be to
substitute Chk,s-, For the foreign per-
Sonnel in {. customs administration
and TO abol-- restrictions upon Chinese
freedom to raise the tariff to any de-
sirable height. This idyllic conception
gaSly ignores facts and puts history
out Of court. Undoubtedly. from the
standpoint OF, Chinese officials. there
would be great advantage in the pro-
vision OF opportunities for a display on
larger scale OF their integrity in
handling public moneys but from the
standpoint OF the conference, one OF
whose main tasks IS to restore something
that cannot only be called. but will be-
China. suggestions Of this kind serve
only TO raise doubts whether the Chinese
delegation really represent anything but
themselves.
Far more important is statement.
that Mr.. Root. In the name OF the Amer
lean delegation. has advanced the prin-
ciple that since the Powers have rccog-
nized the independence and the sover-
eighty of China, they must also recog-
nize the validity OF the treaties con-
Guided By China with various Powers.
The adoption OF this principle would
no doubt facilitate n solution of the
Chinese question on paper. while leav-
irg II In substance bristling with the
same difficulties as before. on the other
hand. II the conference were TO debate
seratim the validity of all the treaties
concluded by China 1t might sit for
months without attaining finality.
Probably some middle course will
presently be found Therefore. for the
present. the warning ] have given
against premature conclusions upon the
work Of the conference holds good in
this respect also.