Evening star., 1921-11-14
Japanese Answer
Also Expected
Favorable.
CONCLUSION NOT
REGARDED FINAL
Step of Two Nations
Seen as Eventual
Ship Agreement.
Bv the Associated Press.

Ship Agreement.
By the Associated Press.
Great Britain's acceptance lin prin-
ciple" of the American proposals for
Limitation of naval armament were
definitely forecast today in a state
ment on behalf of the British dele
cation.
Great Britain's acceptance Will De
based on what are described as GER
tain definite notifications"
Considered most important among the
British is a modification in the pro
gram for replacement. Instead OF
fiat ten-year holiday. during which no
new ships shall be built. the brltlsh
have in mind that the replacement pro-
gram be carried on from year to year
and thus keep the ship yards from go
ing to rot. or allow each country
One-ship building plant.
Japan's acceptance lin principle at
least has been forecast by statements
by Baron Admiral kato and others OIL
the Japanese delegation.
Great Britain's acceptance or tne
general plan and Japan's sympathetlc
attitude were openly forecast Satur-
day after the delivery of Secretary
hughes remarkable presentation put
it remained for spokesman. speak
ing for Arthur Balfour. head OF the
British delegation. to give official
outline of the coming developments.
Mr.. Balfour to Speak.
MIR. Balfour will address the second
plenary session of the conference to-
morrow morning at II o'clock, 1t was
. announced, and at that time bespeak
Great Britain's adherence to the rum
in behalf of the American delegation
by Secretary Hughes. What might be
proposed as a modification or IN the
nature of counter proposals for some
features of the American plan was
not disclosed today.
The impression prevailed, however,
that they might be in the main mat
ters of detail not difficult of assimi-
lation with the cardinal points Of the
American program.
Acceptance in principle" is diplo-
matte phrase which, while marking
an important mile post in an inter-
national negotiation, does not by any
means assure its conclusion in origi-
nal form.
No Final Cancellation.
Acceptance in principle in this case is
taken by observers to mean that Great
Britain will not close her acceptance
finally until the conference has proceed
ed to conclusions in the cases OF France
and Italy. and 1t may indeed be fur
conditioned upon the development OF the
discussion of far eastern affairs. Great
Britain's acceptance in principle. how
ever, is regarded as long step toward
the success of the conference along the
lines laid down by the American. dele
CATION.
Great Britain's principal considera-
ton. it is understood. in framing the
reply which Mr.. Balfour will make
what was to be done to bring France
and Italy within the scope of the
plan for limitations. The American
delegates. it is understood. impressed
their British colleagues with the ad-
visibility of first disposing Of the
question as it affects the three prin-
cipals-the United States. Great Brit
ain and Japan.
While naval experts Of the foreign
powers today continued to examine
the American proposals for limita-
tion of naval armament, heads of the
American, British. Japanese, French
and Italian delegations conferred to
map out plan of procedure to ex-
pedite cons 'deration of the whole
armament question.
American officials emphasized that
the plan presented to the conference
Saturday by Secretary Hughes was
purely an American proposal and that
advance knowledge Of it had been
kept carefully from all the repre-
sentatires of the other powers. AL
though it had become known that
some far-reaching plan would lie pre-
sented early in the conference, it was
declared that no details either as to
the basis of the proposals or the ex-
act time of it's presentation were per-
mitted to reach any of the other
delegates.
In consequence it was assumed that
several days would be required for
and Japan. the powers chiefly con-
cerned, to prepare any estimate of the
accepta blity of the sweeping Amer
lean proposal 1t was indicated that
today's meeting of the five heads OF
delegations was not for the purpose
of actually considering the plan. but
rather was devoted to more or less
routine discussion Of method of
procedure.
At the State Department there was
every indication today that the public
reaction from this governments first
bold step in the conference had been
entirely reassuring, Messages of
praise and approval came to Secre-
tary Hughes office by thousands, and
the White House likewise was del
uged with congratulatory expressions
on the opening of the conference.
A synopsis of the proposal for
armament reduction have been sent
to American diplomatic and consular
agents throughout the world for such
use as they may deem eXpedient. 1t
another part of the effort of the
American government to give the ne
gotiations the widest possible pub
licity.
The heads of the delega tions of the
five principal powers arrived at the
Pan-American Union building, where
the committee dealing with armament
Limitation procedure was to meet
promptly on time.
Secretary Hughes was first to ar
rive, bI: % was followed soon by
Arthur Balfour, heading the British
delegation. ana a staff of technical
experts Of the army and navy; Pre-
mier BRAND of France. with a similar
staff; Senator Schanzer. heading the
Italian delegation, ard his technical
advisors. and Admiral Baron Kato of
officers.
'BiE Five" I'm Session.
After greeting each other. the big
five' went into the directors room of
the building on the second floor. ac-
companied by the technical groups
for each power, and the deliberations
began.
There was no crowd gathered before
the building when these five most i'm
portant figures in the conference met.
a slow rain was falling and hardly
a person among the few passing un-
der umbrellas up and down the street
looked up to notice the dignitaries as
they drove up in closed automobiles.
The conference of the heads of the
five principal powers was adjourned
at 1880 o'clock after having been in
session for an hour and hail.
Il. sss,4s &