Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-08
Great Britain and Japan Are
Invited to Join America in
Lieu of Five Nations, First
Proposed by President.
OBSERVERS SUGGESTED
FOR FRANCE AND ITALY
Responses by London and Toxic
Awaited, But Officials Here Elk
pect Acceptance-Borah Hopes
Farley Will Be Successful,
Though Seeing Difficulty.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The United States has definitely
proposed to Great Britain and Japan
ia three-power naval limitation con
ference to meet in Geneva not earlier
than June /.
In the event of acceptance by the
London and Toxic governments
which have not as yet replied, France
and Italy probably will be asked to
send representatives to the confer
ence as observers.
The new invitation is understood IT,
contain no definite formulate for fixing
maximum tonnage limitations upon
cruisers. destroyers and submarines.
The purpose of the conference at
Geneva will be to explore the posi-
bilities at arriving at an understand
ing for these maximum tonnage limi
tations which could be accepted. par
| ticularly by Great Britain as Eu
ropean power and in view of the non
participation of France and Italy in
| the agreement.
Expect Satisfactory Result.
/ The Washington Government recog-
| nizes that such limitations on con-
| struction as 1t hopes will be reach
| ed must be subject to periodic review
! by the three governments in the light
| of building programs in similar. types
| of ships, which may be undertaken
by any third government not a party
to the agreement.
1t is believed in Washington. how
| ever. that a satisfactory arrangement
for reconsidering the maximum ton
| mage limitations in any class of aux
! Hilary ships annually, If necessary,
can be worked out at Geneva.
| The 5-5-S ratio applied to flrst-line
naval vessels of the United States.
Great Britain and japan, respectively.
by the Washington arms treaty also
will be considered If the three power
conference plan is accepted.
The Japanese acceptance of the
original five-power plan indicated
that Japan might seek a different
ratio for smaller craft. Washing
ton officials do not believe, however
that the ratio question will prove
real stumbling block at Geneva.
Wants Europe to Get Data.
The tentative plan for inviting
France and Italy to have official OBJ
servers at the three-power conference
is in line with the desire of the Wash
ington Government to emphasize
that it would have preferred five
power discussion, and does not regard
the points made in the French and
Italian reflections as warTanting re-
fusal to participate.
In any event, the Washington Gov
eminent will be anxious that the con-
tinental powers are fully advised as
to all that transpires at the proposed
three mower conference.
There is no intimation when re-
plies from London and Toxic may be
expected, although officials here are
confident of ultimate acceptance. The
Japanese answer. in particular. may
be delayed several days as the SEES
sions of the Japanese diet now are
approaching a close.
B0rah Hopes for Success.
Senator Borah, chairman of the
foreign relations committee, expressed
the hope that the plans for prsc-
teal limitation of ornaments Right be
worked out in the three-power naval
conference now proposed.
"If the President can work out
program along this line," said Sena-
tor Borah, II shall be exceedingly
happy to have him do so. The objec-
tons to the disarmament program
which have been made will be difficult
to overcome. But / hope something
may be accomplished"