The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-01
Decision Rests With
 Japanese Attitude
Success or Failure of History Making Conference May Be Determined Within AS Hours--World's Future Naval Strength Hangs on Japan's Ac- ceptance or Rejection of Hughes 5-5-3 Naval Ratio.

Washington, Dec. 1 - The Armament Conference reached the stage today where develop ments within the next 4S hours may determine the success or failure of the epochal gather ing.
 Success means the scrapping of almost half the war ships of the United States, Great Britain and Japan, and an end to the competitive building under which the tax burdened peoples of all three countries have been staggering for years.
 While the situation admitted 1y was tense today, American officials were not unduly per- turbed. They are supremely confident that after brief period of pickering Japan will announce her acceptance of the American ratio in its entirety.
 Possibility of War.
 Failure means continuance or the vast building programs, which Will lead to world naval supremacy Tor the United States and the possibility of war in the dim future
 The deciaton rests with Japan. Upon | 5-5-3 naval ratio laid down by Sec retary of State Hughes and accepted by the other great powers, hangs the worlds future naval strength ana the success or failure of the Washing ton conference.
 The decision in the final analysis rests with three men - Secretary Hughes, A. J. Balfour of Great Brit nj Ia dintnnt1V0 leader of the Japanese conference staff. After two weeks of futile dis cussion the experts have turned the responsibility of decision to the three leaders.
 Renewed assurance came from off, ciaI American sources today that there will be no hacking down. on the part of this government. The .Japanese contention for a ratio of 10-10-7 instead of 1o-10-6 was off, cially described today as utterly in admissable' and So far as America Is concerned the Japanese can etther take it or leave it"
 The American delegates are willing do see ahe conference go on or stop right now on the 5-5-8 issue.
 The feshng prevails in official quar- q rs that the Japanese position is more or less bluff. It is pointed out that Japan has everything to gain and nothing to lose by accepting the American program.
 Enough American tonnage Is part 1y completed on the ways today to en- sure American naval leadership of the world within six years. The experts of Japan, who aI,e now holding forth against accepting the liberal American program know this.
 The belief strongly prevails fin American and British quarters that Japan is maintaining a bold front in the hope of making a trade on ssonte other issues of the conference in which she is vitalfy interested notably the fortifcations of the Pa Ciffc and maintenance of her posi- 1ion in Manchuffa and Mongolia. The American spokesnlen are confidently expecting a proposal from Japan that the 5-5-5 ratio would be accepted upon condition that the United States agree to rage the fotificaitfons al Manila, Guam and Hawaii.
 TTte policy of this government if strongly against any trading" Score tary Hughes and his collsa gues be- lieve sfle naval program laid down bJ the United States Is fair enough tC all and 1t will have to be accepted 7hat way.
 It was not expected that there would be any actual decision today The naval situation is hung high or rae pers of a deadlock. while tfls Powers turned their attention to thf Famous Shantuns controversy,