Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-12
DIFFICULTIES
IN NAVY PLAN
DIMINISHING
u. S. Delegation Denies That
Serious Differences Exist
Among Powers
PLENARY SESSION
Probably Will Take up Ship Pact
Without Waiting for Far East
Settlement

Washington, Jan. 12.-Notwith-
standing the spread during the day
of rumors that putting the naval
treaty into definite form is develop
ing serious and even dangerous diff
ferences of opinion. leaders in the
American delegation insisted last
night that no important divergence
of views has appeared and hope was
held out that a plenary session still
is possible this week. :.
simultaneously, word was received
that the Japanese and Chinese dele
gates. in their new parleyS. had
reached provisional agreements for
withdrawal of Japanese troops from
Shantung, and had made progress on
other minor matters. Also well sup
ported reports were current that Mf.
Hughes had made compromise pro-
posals for settlement of the Shan-
tung Railroad question, which had
received serious attention in Wash
ington and were being considered in
Peking and Toxic.
With respect to the naval treaty,
American spokesman said that eX-
cellent progress was made, taking IN
to account the necessity of dealing
with sections and clauses in two and
sometimes three languages and the
need of communicating with govern
ments. The prediction was made
that the problems Of defining Pa
cific regions" of determining what
is japan proper. and of treating the
Aleutian Islands as part of the
American mainland will be solved.
These matters are up in connection
with the Pacific Notifications agree
ment.
Moreover. it was said on behalf OF
the delegation that, contrary to IN
formation given last night in British
quarters, the agreement on fortlflca-
tions in the Pacific probably will be
made part Of the naval treaty. And
to that was added the information
that it was expected that the naval
treaty would be acted on in the pie
nary session without waiting for
completion of the proposed Chinese
or Asiatic agreement.
The statements from the Ameri-
can delegation ha dsome reassurlng
influences as against reports that
the difficulties encountered IN the
session of the heads Of the deleCa-
tions from the naval powers. who
are working on the naval treaty.
were due to Japanese maneuvers de-
signed to chcckmatc Mr.. Hughes IN
any plans he may have made to put
pressure on Japan in Far Eastern
matters as soon as the naval ques-
tions were concluded.
Reports to this effect received
crcdencc in MANY quarters. and still
are regarded with great interest.
The Japanese scheme. according to
the reports. was to tie up the naval
treaty in an argument over the exact
provisions for maintenance of the
status quo in Pacific Notifications.
After Yesterdays meetings of the
) heads of delegations information
came to the effect that the Japanese
wanted treated as part Of Japan
proper certain islands that have not
been 50 regarded. and their position
caused very general surprise. OF
course if outlying islands were re-
gardcd as in Japan the status quo
provision would not amply: Japan
could add to her Notifications and
naval bases. and the United State,
! would have new potential dangers.
The American expressions of good
/ cheer may mean that ali of the re-
ports are mere helatcd flurries Of OK
citcmcnt or thew nav mean that the
/ American delegates know that Janan
really is planning to hold hack until
! she knows she is not to ho pressed
too hard in the East. and have made
M their minds not to press her 700
hard. if that will cndanger the
I naval treaty. Again. it NAV hn that
/ the Eastern situation IS developing
~ a way that leads the American
! DELEGATION to believe that it will not
, be necessary to press Japan so hard
as to cause her to use the naval
treaty as nawn.
Undoubtedly the American delcga-
tion believes that tn" Shantun@ is
$40 rar he sc.tlcd without raising n
howl from the Chinese. IF So. the
danger Of explosion over Far East
crn nuestinns in the Senatc-rcartinc
against the other froaties-will be
annreciah!v reduced. if not removed
And tho American decoration today
evidences distinct hone that the way
of success in the Shantung matter
has been opened.
That hone causes no excitement
There have been too many such
hopes sirre the Conference met. But
It is factor in d"terminin" the
course of the delegation, in ali prob
ability.
Tho fota1 number Of routes is 49,