Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-29


liabilities in the Pacific.
, The naval experts of the five powers
have concluded their inter-group dis
eussion of the American plan, so far as
ready to meet again. Developments in
dicated that they would return the nat
ter to the conference delegates without
rccomme endations for important modifi-
cations
Hughes Plan Correct
Japanese experts testified that the
original estimates Of naval strength on
which the Hughes plan was based. were
correct. What form the committee re-
port may take is not clear. Presum-
ably, the British officers are in accord
with the American view In many re-
spects. The attitude Of French and
italian experts has not been formally
disclosed
Yet there was some indication that
action by the committee of experts to
sustain the American estimate OF naval
facts and figures was expected.
Whether the japanese experts would
submit minority views in that case was
not known
In any event, it seems likely that tho
scene of action viii be transferred with
in the week from the experts to the
committee room where the delegates Of
the five powers must weigh questions
OF policies, as well a. Of facts. Presum
ably, the Japanese group Is prepared
to continue its argument there for .
"10-IO-7" fleet ratio instead Of tho
American "5-5-S' proposal. To what
extent Japanese insistence may be car
ried in committee or later before the
conference itself, however, is still to
be disclosed.
Minimum, Says kato
Vice Admiral kato in bis statement
declared that the 10 per cent ratio was
1.-THE minimum of strength required"
for Japan's security. He added this
comment:
Peoples of all countries must be in
full agreement as TO limitation of arma-
ment. Otherwise. even though an agree.
ment may be made, it might create an
unpleasant feeling and defeat its pur-
lose"
For competent American naval opin-
ion. it may be said with authority al
though high officers cannot be quoted
directly, that the "5-5-3' proposal is
viewed as the absolute maximum Of con
cession to Japan in view of American
Naval opinion here holds that actual
security would require "1G-5" ratio as
against Japanese owing to distances,
probable causes of conflict and similar
matters.
For that reason, the American So D.
3 plan is viewed as not only written
assurance of utter lack of any American
purpose in the Pacific inimical to legiti-
mate Japanese interests, but; as an
assumption of similar friendly atti-
tude on the part of Japan.
No Other Plan TenabIe
On no other theory, the naval offic-
ers say. would the proposal be warrant
ed, backed it is by the offer to scrap or
discontinue more than twice the amount
of new tonnage Japan il asked to aban-
don.
Reference by Vice Admiral Kato to
Japan's limited steel output and ship
building facilities, as warranting her
desire for 70 per, cent fleet status,
IT called the original taken Of Secretary
Hughes "5-5-3" ratio proposal That
ratio, it is asserted, goes far beyond any
attempt at the almost impossible task
of setting down in figures, estimates
of naval strength relativify. It is based
on the whole situation Of the two pow
ers chiefly concerned. In it 10 included
stme allowances for American ship
building resources in the estimate Of the
relative strength ut sea. officers say.
for that as web as each battleship now
afloat has its place in fixing fair
naval proportion not subject to suspi-
citn.s as cloaking hostile designs
In ether words. these officers CON
tend, the United States could build and
maintain against Japan, on two-to-one
or even three-to-one scale, Il 1t de-
sired. Ii it is to abandon that, advan
tage, they add, to end naval competi-
ton, the sacrifice must be met to some
slight extent at least, in the fleet ratio
TO be fixed.
Experts Complete Aaalysls
Definite steps toward agreement on
the principles OF Secretary Hughes pro-
posals for naval building holiday and
naval limitation thereafter may result
from the meeting Of the full committee
Of. naval experts to which the task Of
detailed examination Of the plan was
referred.
The experts have completed their
analysis OF the major clements OF the
rlan and it can be said authoritasively
for the Ancrifpn srouo that no techs
lCon1iaasd On Passr Tsal D