Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-12
FARLEY PATH
STREWTN WITH
DIFFICULTIES
Progress Reports Fail
to Reveal OBJ
stacles.
BUT MANY
Administration Eager.
to Close Ses-
sion.
Bv GEORGE p. HOLMES.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-F'resh
complications arising almost daily
are blocking rapid progress in the
armament conference to point
where many of the delegates will
consider themselves lucky if they
can wind up by the end of January.
Behind the sterotyped official an
nouncenents that progress is being
made" lies a whole chain of small
disagreements on matters that are
comparatively unimportant to the
main objective. This is particularly
true of the naval treaty, considera-
ton Of which was renewed by the
big five today.
None Of the difficulties are of sufficient
Importance in themselves to endanger the
life Of the conference, but, taken in the
aggregate, they constitute a series Of de-
laying factors over which Americans are
beginning to fret.
Administration officials work to wind
up the conferences as speedily as pos
sible They want all the works OF the
Washington conference cleaned up and
out of the way before making definite
commitments toward the Genoa economic
conference called for March. March is
only a matter Of weeks distant now,
and much remains to be accomplished
before the conference can end, to say
nothing OF the delay that may be en-
countered before the results or tle
Washington parley can be ratified.
TREATY Is READY
FOR RATIFICATION.
The naval treaty came from the draft
ing experts Of all nations fully agreed
to- and with speedy ratification ~ pros
pect.
Japan found fault almost Immediately
with the fortifcations clause, providing
for the maintenance of the status quo
in the fortlications Of the Pacific. Baron
Kato insisted the BONN Islands and the
Oshima group be considered part Of
the japanese homeland and thus exempt
from the status quo arrangement The
matter had TO referred TO Toxic, where
it still remains
Then both Japan and Great Britain
found fault with the provisions for scrap
ping the surplus naval tonnage Their
Spokesman dc not want to scrap the ton
mage at all, but want II retained and
converted to harbor defenses and other
purposes. The American delegates vera
reluctant 20 consent 10 this, maintaining
scrappiDg really meant scrapping.
France and Italy. not having any sur
plus ships to get rid o. agreed with the
United States.
Now Great Britain has suggested that
a number of decisions incorporated
the single comprehensive treaty, be taken
out and embodied in auxiliary treaties
notably the decisions respecting the sub
marina rules.
The American delegates are IN the
main, opposed to this splitting Of the
main treaty into 4 number Of less com
prebensive treaties, believing, so far as
possible, the naval decisions all should
be Incorporated in Z single document.
1t was declared by an American
spokesman the difficulties encountered
would yield to adjustment" but 1t was
admitted the yielding likely would prove
d slow and tedious process.
The powers intend TO drive straight
ahead on the naval treaty until 1t is &C
compllshed. Far Eastern affairs OF the
conference VIII be held IN allegiance until
the treaty Is out of the way.
Meantime, the negotiations between
China and Japan over Shantung, which
are outside the conference, continued to-
day with both sides avoiding the con-
troversial question of tho return Of the
railroad to China, on which there have
been several splits and deadlocks.