Arizona republican., 1921-12-16
Acceptance of American Naval Ratio By Japan And Britain F irst Step At Five Power Armament Limit Treaty
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Agreement Reached On Basis of "Status Quo" Understanding As To Fertilization of Pacific Islands
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 WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The first great stride toward a five power treaty limiting naval ornaments was taken tonight when the United States, Great Britain and Japan an- nounced final agreement on the American five -five-three ratio.
 The next step-elaboration of the agreement to include France and Italy was initiated immediately within the new naval committee of fifteen. Agreement among the three major naval powers was reached on the basis Of status quo" understanding as to notifications of Pacific islands. The United states and Great Britain 1 agreed to Japanese desire to retain her newest battleship, the Mutsu. with proportionate changes in the American and British fleets.
 While principles Of the original American proposal were not impaired by the triangular agreement. the set tlement contemplates the following changes in fleets to be retained:
 Great Britain, 20 ships instead of 22 with an aggregate of 5S2,o50 tons instead of 604,450 tons.
 United States, IS ships as original Iy proposed, but with an aggregate of 525,000 tons instead of 50e,650 tons.
 Japan. 10 ships as originally pro- posed, but with an aggregate of 31S,- 800 tons instead of 299,1O0 tons:
 At the end of the 10 year building holiday. the fleets will stand under the revised detailed plan as follows: Great Britain. 525,000 tons; United States, 525, 5,000 tons and Japan, S15,- GOO tons.
 , In announcing the three power agreement to the committee of 15. the following official explanation was made:
 Subject to Five Power Agreement This arrangement between the United States, Great Britain and Japan. is as far as the number of ships to be retained and scrapped is concerned, dependent on suitable agreement with France and Italy as to their capital ships
 Silence was maintained by mem- bers of the committee of 15 as to what transpired after the announce ment had been received, an official statement saying merely negotiations for the five power agreement and treaty were proceeding. The French group is understood, however, to have begun presentation of Frances desire for a capital. ship tonnage equal to that of Japan-315.000 tons. This presentation was not concluded and will continue tomorrow.
 In refusing comment as to the com- nittee proceedings, one spokesman said that discipline of the state de partnent," must be observed. There were intimations in both French and Italian circles that long discussion might be necessary before complete five power understanding could
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 Fix Maximum Tonnage
 One other change in the origina American proposal is made. Tht rnaxiuaum tonnage displacement O future capital ships is fixed at 37,00t tons, instead of 35,000 tons. It i' understood this change was made t, meet the British practice of equip ping capital ships with anti-subma Tine coat "blisters." These outsid air compartments along the ship hull add to the ships weight.
 It is understood also that Grea Rritain's election of the two ney battleship program was the last ste necessary in reaching the three power understanding. The alterna five was British construction of tw 45.OOO ton super Hoods, a type c vessel not existing and which neithe American or Japanese naval opinio favored
 Great stress was laid by officis srolesmen on the fact that conferee had met throughout the negotiation in the most conciliatory spirit an had exhibited every desire to dea fairly with each other. Realizatio bv American and British officials ( +be strong element of national prid which prompted Japan to ask reter tiou of the NIutsu. was said to hay zone a long way toward successI' negotiations.
 Tf was plainly indicated that tl ,.neriran. British and Japanes r1anbers of the committee of IS wel stronglv hopeful that q similar spir or accommodation and understardir would be encountered in threshir o,t the places of France and Italy.
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