The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-01-14
Big five HITS
SNAG ON RULES
FOR SCRAPP|NG
American Delegation Wants
Dlsmant|ed Vessels Rem
daed Entirely Useless.

:. Washington. Jan. 1.-The "big
five" made further progress today In
their final revision Of the naval trea-
ty, but encountered a difference Of
opinion when they came to lay down
rules for the scrapping of prescribed
battleships.
For the American delegation. It
was proposed that the surplus ves-
sells be rendered entirely useless.
France readily supported that view,
with Italy indicating similar atti-
tude. Great Britain and Japan with
held assent, however, the suggestion
being made that the dismantled ships
might DO used as harbor guards or
training vessels.
The question remained unsettled
and will be taken up again tomorrow.
During their two sessions today,
however. the delegation heads had
completed approval Of the first of the
treaty annexes. embodying replace
ment chart, and they expressed hope
tonight that all Of the five annexes
might be disposed Of tomorrow or
Friday.
Pacific Article Lacking.
Except for the article dealing with
Pacific Notifications, all Of the text
Of the treaty proper already had been
virtually approved and should Tokio's
reply on the Notifications provision
be received in time, a plenary session
for public discussion of the completed
treaty may be held Saturday or Mon
day. The Japanese indicated today
that they expected to receive the
message from their capital by Friday
night.
Indications that an agreement will
not be difficult were supported by
declaration Of 4 Japanese spokesman
tonight that he saw no objection to
including BONN island and the Osh-
ina group in the status quo" agree
mont on Qualifications.
While the delegation, chiefs were
continuing their discussions. today
tho Japanese and Chinese resumed
their interrupted negotiations over
Shantung and reached tentative
the Japanese troops stationed within
tho province.
Far East Negotiations.
Meantime, also, some members OF
the various delegations began to lay
their plans for resumption of the
general far eastern negotiations,
which will follow completion Of the
naval treaty. For the. Japanese, it.
was predicted that the Chinese for
consideration of the Fl demands
would be quickly ruled out by the
seemed to be supported by American
opinion, despite a minority effort In
the American advisory committee to
instruct the delegation to support
China's request.
There was increasing evidence, how
ever, that the American delegates re-
gard settlement Of other pending
Chinese questions as Of great import
ance and that actual signing Of the
naval treaty probably will be delayed
until the far eastern treaty also Is
American position that the two sub
jects are not inter-dependent, but it
il known that certain advisers to the
delegates have strongly urged con.
clusion Of the two pacts simultane-
ously.
Separates Agreements.
It is presumed that all the other
engagements growing out of the con-
ference, including the treaty or
agreements relating to Siberia, sub
marine and gas warfare. will also be
time. Definite decision is said to have
been reached to exclude the submar-
inc and gas resolutions from the nav
al treaty and to make them the SUBJ
jects Of one or more separate agree
ments.
Today's differences over methods
Of scrapping apparently were regard
ed by all the delegates as interpos-
ing no serious barrier to an agree
ment. The American view was said
to be that use Of the abandoned war
ships as harbor station ships or for
gunnery training would not accord
with the sDirit Of the screaming
agreement since 1t would in q meas
ure permit the vessels to continue as
naval units. To this, other delega-
tons countered with an argument
that absolute scrapping would mean
useless financial waste but there
was no indication that the argument
had developed any evidence Of insist