Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-01-02

t'ASAA o@INA AAAAAASN oPFSoAAA0AA L ! Va
situation has come into prom
alleged secret understanding
French concerning a Japanese
Siberian Situation on Agenda
An unofficial commission sent to the
conference by the far eastern republic
of Chita, Siberia. made public the al
legged secret agreements of the French
and japanese governments. They were
denied by both the French and the
Japanese plenipotentiaries, who de-
nounced the documentary evidence
presented by the far eastern commits
sion as constituting : rgery ami
malicious falsehoods." !
Whether the aecusatid. win come
formally before the conference is I'M
certain, since far eastern representa-
tives not only are not members, but
are speaking for an unrecognized gov
ernment. The Siberian situation. how
ever, is on the agenda for the far
eastern discussions. and the Chinese or
some other delegation may inject the
far eastern charges into the negotIa-
tons.
Decide All Possible Accomplished
An American delegate predicted Sun
uaS That tiC tohSi has ak
ton treaty would be put into final form
this week and that next week settle
ment would be effected covering the
far eastern field. The same expecta-
ton was echoed in the foreign dele
cations, most of whose members have
made definite plans to leave about mid
January.
A tendency to press the negotiations
to conclusion, even If some original
hopes for accomplishments have 10 GO
by the board, is evident in many quar-
ters. Delegates are said to facl 'lat
seven weeks of discussions have fully
developed the various national view
points and that little is to be gained
by prolonging debate.
In pursuance of this policy. the naval
experts will spend Monday at work
None expects to find serious difficulty
in the technical adjustments remaining
to be formulated. TO cover sueh ques-
tions as methods of replacement and
scrapping. and there is general feel
ing that the end of the week may see
a plenary session for announcement
of formal five-power naval treaty.
Full Session May Clarity Pact
At the same time, announcement may
be made of the new six-power treaty
partitioning the former German cable
properties in the Pacific. This instru-
melt has not received the formal ap-
proval of all interested nations. but the
delegates seem confident that unanim-
GUS assent will not be long DELAYED.
If plenary session is held this
week. it is not impossible that its pro-
gram may include ratification of some
clarifying instrument to define the
scope of the fourpower Pacific treaty
with reference to the principal Japan
ese islands. Negotiations for such
Qualification are proceeding. the Amer
leans having given assurances that they
will not oppose japanese plan to de-
clare that tie treaty does not cover
the Japanese Homeland The pres
emf discussions are said to be tending
toward accomplishment of that end
through a reservation signed by all four
powers.
Borah Launches Attack
While this exchange is in progress
opponents of the treaty in the senate
are organizing to prevent its ratifica-
ton and are losing no opportunity to
carry their fight to the country. Sen
ator Borah, republican, of Idaho. Sun
day delivered an argument against un-
reserved ratification. More discussions
in the senate are expected when it re-
convenes Tuesday.
On the side of the naval limitatioe
program. the most embarrassing prob
lem to be settled is that involved in the
proposed regulation of submarine WAR
fare. All powers have agreed TO unite
in declaration reaffirming tl>e preseIt
restrictions of international law and
condemning the ruthless submarine
warfare of German U-boats during the
war, but there has not been the same
facility of agreement on the proposal
to prohibit submarine attacks on mer-
chant vessels.
Future Parley Depends on France
Bound up in the submarine restric-
ton pians also Is the suggestion tor
future conference to consider sub
marine and auxiliary limitations in 4
more definite way, President Harding
has been said to favor strongly such
conference, but there has been no evil
dcnee that any delegation was prepar-
ing formally to propose it, Some
delegates are known to be taking tn.
position that another meeting to talk
over the submarine problem would be
useless unless the initiative in that di
rection. were taken by France. whose