Pueblo chieftain., 1921-12-16

Agreement among the three major
naval powers was reached on the basis
of a status quo, understanding to
fortification of the Pacific islands. The
United States and Great Britain ac-
ceded to Japan's desire to retain her
newest battleship the Mutsu with
proportionate changes in the American
and British fleets.
American proposal were not impaired
by the triangular agreement the set
tlement contemplates the following
changes in fleets to be retained:
Great Britain, twenty ships instead
of twenty-five with an aggregate of
$4,000 tons instead of 6o445o tons.
United States, eighteen ships as orig
inally proposed, but with an aggregate
of $4,000 tons instead of 5oo,sso tons.
Japan. ten ships as originally pro-
800 tons instead of 700 tons.
At the end OF the ten year building
holiday the fleets will stand under the
revised detailed plan. as follows:
Great Britain $4,000 tons United
States. $4,000 tons and Japan, $4,000
tons. .s.
In announcing the three power agree
ment to the committee of fifteen the
following official explanation was
made:
This arrangement between the
United States, Great Britain and Jap
/ 10 be retained and scrspped Ia con-
cerned, dependent on n suitable agree
ment with France and Italy as to
their capital ships"
Silence was inaintsined by members
of the committee of fifteen as TO what
trsuspired after tho announcement had
been received an official statement
saying merely negotiations for the fve
power agreement and treaty were pro-
ceeding. The French group is under
-s. 1,nyv k0
iation of Frances desire for capital
ship tonnage, equal to that of Japan
$4,000 tons. This presentation was
not concluded and will continue tomor-
row. In refusing comment as to the
committee proceedings. one spokesman
said that discipline of the state de-
partment' must be observed. There
were intimations in both French and
italian circles that a long discussion
might be necessary before a complete
f've power understanding could emerge
for action by the conference.
While events as to the naval ratio
agreement were moving swiftly neso-
tia tions for far eastern settlements
were at a standstill' except for the
separate Cbinese-Japanese discussion
Of Shantung. statement between
tho two groups is not In sight and no
date has been set for resumption OF
other Far Eastern conversations.
In consolidating the status quo.
agreement as to Notifications into the
projected naval limitations treaty,
separate consideration of that matter
has been avoided with a resultant saw
ing of time.
The revised three power naval
agreement In addition to overcoming
the most difficult stumbling block be
fore the conference.-the relative
strength Of the American and Japanese
6eets-has saved three huge new
superdreadnauChts from the scrap
heap. They are the Japanese Mutsu
and the American Colorado and Wash
ington. ships of the same post -.fut-
land design
Provision also is mode for two new
British 'post-Jutland" ships to he
laid at once and does not otherwise
modify the ten year holiday.
In place of the Mutsu Japan will
scrap the old dreadnaught Setsu and
after for ten years. In place of the
Colorado and Washington. the United
states will scrap the North Dakota and
tho Delaware when the two ships are
finished. When Great Britain COM
pletes her two new ~ 900 tonners. about
three years hence. she will send to the
scrap heap. four old dreadnaughts that
played n part In the war. They are tho
King George, v. the Ajax. and tho
Centurion, ali Of the same type and the
completed Erin, a sistership
to the Queen Elizabeth.
one other change In the original
American proposal is made. The maxi
mum tonnage displacement of future
stead of $4,000 tons. n Is understood
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