The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-28
French Demand for 10000 Ton
Allotment Cause.
United States Now Would Linn
it Auxiliary Ships.
NEED JAP INTERPRETATION
Washington Wants Toxic View
on Four Power Pact.
Conference Now Shifts Its Dis
cussiOns to Siberia.

Washington. Dec. 2s.-The Wash
ington conference will not put any
limitation on the number of sub
marines that any nation may main
tain, and all discussion on submarine
limitation is now ended, so far as
the present conference is concerned.
This was the result of a two-hour Sc
cret session of the naval powers here
today.
The French delegates pressed their
demand for 10000 tons of submarines
at today's session, stating that this
figure was the absolute minimum
France could accept The other
powers were not in a position to ac-
cede to the French demand, and the
negotiations as regards submarines
were officially closed.
AuxlIiaries Now Up.
Discussions were at once initiated
with regard to other auxiliary naval
ships, such as light cruisers, torpedo
boats, airplane carriers, etc, and here
again the French delegation surprised
the conference by stating that France
considered $50, 900 tons of these ves-
sells as necessary for French needs.
The United States proposed that all
auxiliary ships be limited to 10000
tons in size and this proposal was un-
der discussion when the session re%
cessed early this afternoon. It will be
taken up again late today when the
meeting is resumed
The American delegates informed
the other powers they have a proposal
to make with regard to airplane ear,
riers, but it was reserved until a later
session.
With the submarine question to be
allowed to go over until some future
conference and with it the whole ques-
ton of auxiliary ships, the early
termination of the Washington con-
ference is foreseen. Postponement Of
the naval decision would leave moth
ing for the conference to do but wind
up Chinese affairs and make a. declar-
alton of policy with regard to Siberia
Want Jap Interpretation.
Administration leaders would vel
come action by the japanese govern
ment to remove the doubt as to
whether the Japanese mainland is to
be included in the so-called "protec-
ton clause" Of the new four-poWer
Pacific treaty, it was said today.
A declaration from Toxic that ia
pan does not want the mainland of
Japan to be included in the "insular
dominions" referred in the treaty,
would not only clear the atmosphere,
it was said. but it would also make the
path of ratification by the United
States senate much easier.
Unless there is some such action by
the Japanese government, it is the
plan of the senate 'irreconcilables'' to
offer a reservation to exclude the Jap
anese mainland, when the treaty
comes up in the senate.
The treaty Interpretation has been
discussed by Japanese and American
officials here within the last week and
it is believed a satisfactory under
standing will be reached.
Chinese Matters at StandstiII.
The tentative plan for the Siberian
lion
then the proclamation of a declara-
ton of principles with regard to ST.
IBERIA which would pledge the sigma
tory powers not to take advantage of
existing Russian conditions to annex
Russian territory, and not to encrOach
upon Russian sovereignty in other
ways. This would carry out the
moral trusteeship" idea which is the
declared policy of the aoministra ton.
The belief is gaining ground among
the delegates here that the conference
has gone about as far as it can on
Chinese matters. The Chinese are
insistent that the validity of the
twenty-one demands be considered,
but in this the Chinese are believed
doomed to disappointment. The Jap
anese have all the law on their side of
this controversy. China assented to
the twenty-one demands and the Jap
anese have treaties to show for it and
that legally ends the matter so far as
Japan is concerned. The conference
can hardly do otherwise than recog-
nize this.
japanese Are Reused.
Toxic, Dec. 2S.-The so-called "pro-
lection clause" of the Pacific treaty
drawn up by the Washington confer
ence has aroused q storm of protest In |
Japan and there were indications to- |
day that Japan would only ratify with /
reservations unless the pact is re-
vised.
Vice Foreign Minister Tanakara re- |
ceived the diet committee and prom |
ised a full inquiry into the ''protec- |
ton clause" and complete interpreta-
ton of it.
Ratification is possible, but only |
with reservations covering the pro- !
lection clause" said the foreign office !
official
Members of the government claim I
that 1t would be humiliating to Japan |
to include the homeland in the treaty. |
May Be Nine Power Pact.
As for Shantung, that is outside of |
the conference for the present and |
prospects are favorable for an early |
settlement of the famous controversy.
The japanese delegation has received !
a reply from Toxic to its last inquiry |
and the conversations here will be 1
renewed shortly.
The tentative plan of the leaders is |
to seal the Chinese decisions as re-
CARDS tariff, extra territoriality. post |
office, etc, by means of a nine power !
ed treaty. This treaty would also re- |
affirm the adhesion of the powers to /
the open door policy and contain |
pledge to respect China's territorial /
and administrative integrity.