Great Falls tribune., 1921-11-30
JAPAN CLAIMS
PRESENT RATIO
IS NOT FAIR
.Nipponese Still Have
Hopes of Obtaining
More Sea Strength.
British Experts Accept
Proposals Laid Down
by Secretary Hughes.

Washington, Nov. 29.-(By the As
sociated Press.)-The purpose of the
American delegation to the arms con-
ference to accept no modification of
Secretary Hughes proposed "five-flve
three ratio of naval strength as the
fundamental basis Of any limitation
ated Tuesday. The statement was
backed by disclosure Of the facts as to
existing naval strength.
This showed japan to have less
than the 60 per cent status to which
the "five-five-three" plan would en-
title her, no matter what method of
calculation was applied. 1t showed
also that the American delegates had
been over the whole field. before the
discussion Of the plan and that their
figures were correct.
Vice Admiral Censured
Meanwhile Prince Tokugawa of the
japanese delegation declared that the
statement Monday of Vice Admiral
Kato of the japanese advisory staff,
contending for a 20 per cent status
for Japan was based on personal
opinion" alone 1t was not. the prince
said. sponsored by the delegation of
which Vice Admiral Kato is not
member
Prince Tokugawa would not reveal,
however, the actual view of the Jap
anese delegates as to what percentage
Japan would insist upon in fleet
strength. He said the four delegates
were determining this for themselves,
independently of any additional in
structions, from Toxic. He would not
say whether decision actually had
been reached as. yet.
While these developments indicated
still more strongly that decision of
this fundamental question was drawing
near. the arms conference itself mark
ed time. A further meeting of the
naval experts of the United States and
Japan, scheduled for Tuesday was
postponed for 20 hours, ut the request
of the Japanese. The Americans were
not informed as to the reason for this
postponement.
At japanese headquarters it was
said further time to examine figures
supplied by the Americans was needed
British Accept Plan
In any case, the naval experts of
the three powers chiefly concerned are
scheduled to meet Wednesday in fur
ther subcommittee deliberations Their
work cannot deal with any major fac
tor in the American naval plan, how
ever, for Tuesdays revelations showed
that these constitute q closed CHAPTER
of proceedings
The British experts have fully ac-
cepted the accuracy of the original
American fleet estimates. The Jap
anese have been able to produce no
figures competent to challenge sue
cessfully the American showing.
There were hints that plenary ses-
sion of the arms conference might be
called next week. This could not be
confirmed in any authoritative quarter.
meeting is called it will mean that the
delegates are prepared to reach a de-
cision
There is no present expectation that
the fundamental question of the five
five-three" ratio or any other major
point will be worked out at the plenary
session. Officials closest to the neg0-
tiations expect that informal meetings
between the various delegates as will
bring about the ultimate agreement by
personal touch. 1t will then be trans
lated into conference action.
Expect laps to Agree
1t is no secret that the American
group expects Japan to accept the
1858" ratio. 1t is also equally clear
that the United States will not accept
any enlargement of the status offered
to Japan. That was clear to the most
casual observers after the American
delegates, with the exception of Sena-
tor Underwood, who could not be pres
ent, again talked over the naval situa
ton in Secretary Hughes office. Mr.
Senator Lodge, Mr.. Root and
Mr. Underwood are known to be of one
mind on this and to be backed by the
full approval of President Harding and
all administration offices.
The administration group has no
doubt that American public opinion
fully supports the '.5-5-3" ratio. 1t
was made clear that if the question Of
national security brought up by Woe
Admiral Kato were considered, ratio
OF even 10 to in capital ship strength
as to Japan would not adequately ex-
press American needs or British needs. |
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