Evening star., 1921-11-19
HUGHES PRINCIPLES
. ON ARMS FACE TEST
America to Oppose Japan's
Suggestion to Enlarge .
Her Naval Ratio.
BY n. D. MESSENGER.

1t is recognized in official and diplo-
matte circles that in both branches of
the jurisdiction of the international
conference. Limitation of armament
and consideration of far eastern ques-
tions, the stage has been reached
wherein will be put to the test the ap-
plication of principles agreed to. '.
: In the highest authoritative quar-
ter it has been declared that Japan's
naval ratio is antagonistic to the
basis of naval limitation set up by
the United States at the opening of
the conference and agreed to lin prin-
oiple' by Japan. Acceptance of Ja-
pans suggestion, it is claimed. would
neceSsitate recasting of the basis.
Withdrawal Hoped For.
The hope is expressed that Japan
will recognize this claim and will
withdraw or modify her suggestion
The position of the Japanese deleEa-
tion is recognized as being difficult; :;
on the one side they are amenable to
pressure from the Toxic government
urging an enlargement Of the ratio
and at the same time are cognizant
Of a backfire from a large class in
japan insisting upon the fullest pos
sibIe acquiescence in the American
plan of naval limitation.
The United States. it Is pointed out,
is not taking a position Of obstinacy,
in any pride of authorship. nor dis
posed to hold out contentiously for
rigid adherence to detail. but most
insistent upon following out to logi-
cal conclusion the spirit of the basis
Of limitation agreed upon.
Great Britain is expected to be SYM
pathetic with this attitude OF the
United States and while agreement
cannot be reached by majority rule,
the preponderance of sentiment 1t is
thought may not be without influence
upon the Japanese delegation and
operate to an acceptance of the
American viewpoint.
China's Proposals Basis.
Today the other branch Of the con-
ference's work. far eastern questions,
is under consideration by the COM
mittee invested with Jurisdiction,
China's memorandum Of her desires
being the specific topic
1t is expected that Japan will dis
close in detail her attitude toward
that proposition and her official COM
ment is awaited with deep interest
There Is no disposition in official
American circles to doubt that the
difficulties presented by conflicting
views will be composed through ne
gotiatfOnS.
At no time has it been supposed
that the great international meeting
would proceed without the deyelon-
ment Of conflicts of opinion and inter-
ests: The object of a full and free
conference of friendly-disposed ma
tions gathered in intimate contact
around the council board is to settle
them and that is what Is expected
will be done in this case
Expect Success In Private,
The hope of the American officials
is said to be In regard to Japan's re-
quest for enlargement Of her naval
ratio that this question can be dis
posed of by private exchanges of ar
guments without taking 1t into g.
plenary session of the conference. II
necessary, however. to establish the
record of this governments position
on limitation of naval armament, the
American delegates are understood
as q last resort to be prepared to
present their case in plenary session.
But the alternative Is not likely to
be forced soon, it is thought, as the
negotiations have not yet reached an
impasse. The question is still being
discussed informally, and without
official expression or quotation.
Next Mondays plenary session of
the conference will provide an, op-
portunity for Premier BRAND to
set forth Frances attitude on main
tenance of land forces, prior to his
return to the exigancies of his
official position at home.
While expedition is the watchword
Of the conference, 1t would be sur
prising II tho question of armament
should come up In that session.