Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-01
ARMS FARLEY END
IN z MONTHS NOW
HELD POSSIBILITY
Conclusion of Conference De-
pendent Upon Return of
French Delegates.
NEGOTIATIONS STANDING
STILL FOR TIME BEING
Officially Private Conversations
Continue Between Reed
and Matsudaira. !.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, March six weeks to two
months are expected to elapse before the
naval conference is concluded, this fig
ure being contingent upon return shortly
of a French delegation.
In some quarters it was believed the
next two weeks will determine whether
the conference can evolve 6 f1ve-power
agreement.
Practically all delegations today were
in the midst Of week end celebrations
Most Americans were spending the holi-
day In the country with others visiting
friends or resting in London.
One member of the American delega-
ton was busy today. Charles Francis
Adams, Secretary of the Navy, was en-
gagged in completing the speech he will
broadcast to America tomorrow after
noon. He Will go on the air over the
Columbia network at Sis London time
Q2:l5 pm. Eastern standard time).
Little Being Done.
Despite efforts of leaders to make a
show at continuation of their work the
fact is that actually very little negotia-
ton is under way.
With conference spokesman silent, it
appears that the American Japanese
negotiations for settlement of a cruiser
ratio represent the only live issue under
discussion, the French attitude being so
unalterably involved in other phases
that 1t would be unwise to continue dis
.euSSlonS without French representation
1t appeared today that Senator Reed,
who has become iaison man between
the American and Japanese delegations,
has spoken informally with Ambassador
Matsudaira, saying, in effect: Suppose
america offered Japan SO and so, what
would be Japan's attitude?"
SHppositionaI Offer.
No actual formal ratio offer has been
made, but it was understood some sun
positional offer is being considered by
the Japanese. One report had it that
America had suggested that Japan cut
nef 70 per cent ratio demand for large
cruisers with the understanding that
she would be permitted to increase the
ratios in small cruisers, destroyers and
submarines.
The result would be that she really
would have a 10 per cent ratio gen.
orally, or nearly so. 1t was recalled
that Secretary Stimson in his statement
OF the American conference objective
mentioned ''an-over-all" ratio between
the American and japanese navies
which he hoped would be satisfactory
The meetings of Senator Reed and
Ambassador Matsudaira were termed
by the Japanese officially private .
These two are old Washington friends
and their meetings are understood to
nave been most amicable. 1t is ex-
pected that when they arrive at an in
formal agreement it will be submitted
TO Col. St1mson and Mr.. Wakatsuki,
who Will settle the matter finally.
Delegates Divided.
With every desire to press the treaty
on the humanization of submarine war
fare forward to a successful conclusion,
the American delegation finds itself
sharply divided over one of the most
important clauses.
The question that will come before
the delegation for a decision as to pol
icy is the position the United States is
to take on the so-called piracy" clause
This clause, as contained in the treaty
signed at Washington and ratified by
all delegates except the French, pro-
vided for the trial and punishment as
pirate of any person who violated
the established rules regarding the de-
struction of merchant ships in subma-
rine warfare, whether or not such a
person was acting under the orders of
his government.
Those opposing the retention Of this
clause in the proposed humanization
treaty feel that it opens all submarine
attack cases to reprisals.
It is understood that Secretary of
State Stimson is one of those who
desire to keep the clause, and that most
of the American diplomatic advisers are
opposing it.