The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-13
EXPERT COMMITTEE SCRAPPED AND NEW BODY OF b NAMED
New Step Believed Based On Informal Communication That Japanese Are
 Ready to Yield
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
 Washington, December 2.-New machinery to expedite final action on naval limitation agreements was set up today by the arms conference. At the suggestion of the American group, the former committee of ex- perts was "scrapped" in favor of a committee of fifteen" including both plenary delegates and civil and naval experts of the five powers. The whole subject of naval limita- tions, including the cornerstone "5- 5-3" ratio, was turned over to the new committee to be put in final shape for the conference. Meanwhile, 1t became known that the Japanese delegation had received instructions from TolkIo regarding tho 5-5-3 ratio. The nature of the com munlcation was not disclosed. There were many indications, however, that it marked long stride toward final acceptance of this vital point in the naval limitation project.
 Short Cut to ResuItG
 The "committee of IS" was de- scribed by British spokesman as a means to short circuit" delays, un- avoidable in the previous divisions of labor between committees of dele- gates and separate committees of naval experts. The new committee will be able to reach decisions as to direct recommendation of It's creation was given.
 There were indications, how
 ever, that the new step was based
 upon an informal communication
 from the Japanese deieEation
 that Japan stood rendy t0 nccepf
 the 5-5-3 ratio, subject to certain
 qualifications In detail of the
 American proposal. It appeared likely that it would beeOpnc the
 business of the .commitfee of 15v
 to write i'm treaty form fer sigma
 ture by all five powers the defI-
 mite agreement based on the
 "5-5-3" proposal but carried out
 in detail. If thIs proves to he
 the case, the new committee will
 seek solution of each phnse of
 the naval reduction and iImita- ton plnn ns it arises framing It's l conclusions into sections of the proposed treaty.
 The new step throws into promi- hence for the first time In the con ference the question of the French ana lldlldn pidCe m tue ndNdi TdtlO. That must be worked out by the "committee Of 15." Spokesmen for Italy said she was willing to stop where she Is in naval strength. pro yided she was allowed equality with France In ratio. The attitude of the French group on this point was not disclosed and British spokesmen indi- cated that Great Britain must con slider the place of the French and taox vic fo1 fx, the "6-5-3" ratio agreement between the other three powers.
 Want U-Boats Abolished
 Another point was particularly stressed by all British spokesmen. That was the firm conviction that submarines could be wholly abolished as naval weapons It was asserted. however. that British acceptance of the "5-53" ratio was in no sense com ditional upon such action. Great Brit ain does hope. however. her spokes- men said, for a chance to state her case to the world" as to submarines before a plenary session of the con- ference.
 The "big three" of the naval con- ference, Secretary Hughes. Arthur J. Balfour and Admiral Baron Kato, met today and are understood to have con- sidered the naval ratio problem, but
 
 at the meeting was made. They will confer again tomorrow and 1t was re- garded as probable that they were shaping up the program for deiibera- tions of the committee of Is" In the light of instruction Baron Kato has received from Tokio on the "55-3" proposal. That the Japanese commu- nication was regarded as most favor able to complete agreement as to na- val strength was apparent in both American and British circles. How long it might take to work out the details of the treaty on the subject no official would predict. One Amer lcan official said matters seemed to be rapidly coming to a head"
 Secretary Hughes will head the American group on the committee of Is, aided by Assistant Secretary Roosevelt as civilian adviser, and by naval officer. Rear Admiral Pratt of the general board seemed tonight to be the most logical choice for na- val expert, Admiral Coontz being oc- cupled with his duties a chief of na- val operations.
 Mir. Balfour will head the British group, aided by Lord Lee as civilian adviser and Rear Admiral Chatfield of the British naval staff al expert.
 Baron Kato will head the Japanese group His selections for advisers were not announced. nor were the Italian and French committee groups ready for announcement tonight No meeting of the new committee has been called as yet.
 Hinges on Naval Bases
 It was regarded as probable that Japanese acceptance of tho "5-S-S" ratio now hinges to some extent upon an agreement as to naval bases in the Pacific Whether this Is to be worked out in separate treaty was
 tContinued on Page Two)