New-York tribune., 1921-11-23
Anglo-Saxon Nations Call
for Two More Vessels
Each if Toxic Insists
on Retaining Mutssl
Result Would Be
No Naval HOLIDAY
Delegates Study Details
of Program, Including
Is md Fortifcations
By Carter Field


the American and British delega-
tions to the Conference on the Lin
itation Of Armament, it developed
to-day, are making vigorous drive
against the desire of the Japanese to
be allowed to retain their new battle
ship the Mutsu.
Practically completed, and with
the Japanese now contending that
she was put in commission prior to
November II, and therefore should
be included among the ships which
Japan is allowed to retain, the
Mutsu has become practically the
storm center of the fight being made
behind the closed doors of the COM
mittee on naval armament.
The answer of the Administration
to the japanese is that if they are to
be permitted to retain the Mutsu,
then the, United States should be al
lowed to finish the Colorado and the
Washington-both of which are al
most completed. Then, the British
say, they should be permitted, in
order to keep the ratio even, to build
two of the new Hoods which they
have planned and collected materiels
for, although the keels have not been
laid.
What, then, the British and Amer
leans demand Of the japanese, is the
advantage to any one concerned, and
what becomes of the naval holiday
idea?
Two Nations Stand Firm
The way to stop competing in naval
construction is to stop, say both
Americans and British. The Japanese
have reached the point where they de-
cline to discuss the Mutsu with news
paper men, even when it is understood
that no quotations will be allowed.
With its opening display of fire.
works at length completed, the arma-
ment limitation conference to-day set
tied down to the less spectacular but
all important task of working out the
details.
To-day's development, following such
brilliant oratory as that of NJ. BRAND
yesterday on land armaments. the tEe-
mendous smash of the Hughes pro-
posals on the opening day and the
thrill of the second day when Britain
and Japan accepted in principle the
American naval armament limitation
plan, seem less striking, but neverthe-
less are of far-reaching Importance.
For instance the decision to take
steps which will permit China to COLI
lect tariff duties on imports IN excess
of per cent is far from the dry sta
tistical fact which the mere words
seem to mean. For three-quarters of
century China's federal treasury has
been starved by this limitation, i'm
posed by foreign powers whose chief
thought was of increasing their eX-
ports to that country.
Move Considered Vital
Perhaps no single act viii go further
toward making possible strong cen-
trail government in China, capable OF
protecting its own interests as well
as those of foreigners, as this meas-
ure, the natural outcome of which will
be to provide that central government
with an increased supply of cash.
And this is not all. AS one of the
delegates to the conference declared af-
touched the fringe" of the Pacific and &,
Far Eastern questions. Elihu Root,
who framed the Big Four propositions j.
agreed upon at the previous sessions
is known to be eager to go much furt ,
ther in working out solution Of Chl-
mas problem. to the end that she no,
longer will be the helpless object OF.
conflicting desires by other nations
which will carry with it that she will
no longer be the possible cause of wars
between or among other countries.
Interesting also in connection with
China was the first statement of Baron
Kato, of the Japanese delegation, that
Manchuria is regarded by the Japanese
as a part of China and is to be so cons
strued under the terms of the Roos
resolution. This was the only point
on which Baron Kato allowed himself
to be quoted in his interview tonight
with the newspaper men.
Fortifcations Considered
In addition to the discussion revolv,
ing around the details of the Americar
naval armament limitation proposals,
earnest consideration is being given the
question of limiting fortifications in
the Far East, particularly in the islands
of Japan and the United States, which
are, from a military standpoint at
least, neighbors.
AS has been pointed out in The Trib,
une's Washington dispatches, there ID
strong sentiment in the American
delegation in favor of meeting the jap,
anese idea that this country should moi
fortify the Philippines and Guam, pro,
vided the Japanese will make a similar
agreement with regard to the Caroline
and Marshall islands, including Yap
which groups they acquired under man,
date since the conclusion of the World
War
There have been suggestions thai
Hawaii should be included in these, bu;
against this the Americans are ver1
strongly set, holding that Hawaii Is
virtually an outpost of the America
Pacific Coast, and not really concernei
In any consideration of the Far East.
There is no suggestion of disman,