Arizona republican., 1922-01-25
RAPIDSTRIDES
MADE BY ARMS
DELEGATESON
MAJOR ISSUES
Decide Siberian Question
And Redefine Scope Of
4-Power Pacific Pact;
See End Within Week
[RepubIIean A. ?. leased Wlrel

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Swing-
ing into high speed again, the arms
conference today made quick work
OF the Siberian question, virtually
agreed on the sole remaining issue
OF the naval reduction plan, COM
pIeted a redefinition of the scope Of
the, four-power Pacific treaty. and
pushed toward a solution of the
Shantung tangle and various lesser
problems.
So sweeping was the days progress
that little save perfunctory details
remained tonight to bring all the di-
verse tasks of the conference to a
simultaneous conclusion. Some of
the more optimistic delegates were
predicting that the final windup
would come within a week.
In its two day incurston into the
Siberian field the far eastern COM
mittee contented itself with listen
ing to and spreading on the confer
ence record detailed statements of
the views of Japanese and American
governments. Japan's declaration
disclaimed territorial designs in Rus
sia, but set forth the reason that im-
pels her to keep troops in Eastern
Siberia, and the reply Of the United
States reiterated the desire that there
would result no permanent infringe
nent on Russian integrity.
France Joins Discussion
Except for the French, who ex-
pressed confidence In the Japanese
pledge to withdraw from Siberian
soil when stable conditions will per-
init, no other delegation joined in the
discussions. Secretary Hughes pro-
posed the readily accepted resolu-
ton by which the item was wiped off
the conference program, to appear
no more until the pronouncements
of the two governments are entered
in the miutes OF the next plenary
session
The last difference over principles
IN the naval treaty, relating to the
Notifications status quo in the Pa
cific, was swept away in informal
consultations among the chief dele
gates after it held up completion Of
the treaty text many days. Under
the settlement, the British plan of
defining a latitude and longitude
boundary for the status quo zone is
replaced by the Japanese suggestion
that instead there be a list by name
of the islands which must not be
further fortified. The Japanese
agreed that the Japanese BONN
group should be included under the
prohibition.
A further cause for delay devel-
oped, however, when the Japanese
plenipotentiaries declared their desire
TO submit the Notifications article
in exact phraseology to Toxic for ap-
proval. Toxic already has agreed to
all but the minor details of wording
and a favorable reply is expected
soon.
Redefinition of the geographical
scope of the four power Pacific
treaty already signed, took the form
of series of notes which have been
completed and mutually approved by
the four powers, and will be formally
exchanged for the record before the
conference ends. They reverse the
previous informal agreement of the
delegates andprovide that in constru
ing the treaty hereafter the major
Japanese islands including the Bo-
min group, shall not be classed among
the 'insular possessions ad domin-
IONS to which the instrument APP
Piled
Hope to Settle Shantunq Issue
in the Shantung negotiations be-
tween the Japanese and Chinese. it
became apparent that outside pres
Sure for a settlemet was increasing
as the two groups met to clear away
various minor details of the points
on which they already have agreed.
The question of the Tsingtao- Tsin-
anfu railroad, now virtually the only
undetermined issue, was not touched
on, but it was actively under consid-
GRAFTON in American and British
quarters because OF the exercise Of
good Offices by Secretary Hughes
and Arthur J. Balfour.
BY conference officials, in close
touch with the American British
compromise efforts, it was said to-
night a settlement was "very near"
Both the Japanese and Chinese re-
fused 10 make nredicfions