Evening star., 1935-12-14
BY the Associated Press.


guration of bi-lateral conversations,
coupled with the announcement OF a
Super-secret session Monday, attended
only by delegates, was believed today
to be ushering in one of the most sig
nificant critical periods of the Inter
natioual Naval Conference.
Both moves, it was learned authori-
tatively, were maneuvered by the jap
aneSe on the grounds that general ses-
sions were cumbersome and unsatis-
factory in the negotiations to reach
a new agreement to replace the ex-
piring Washington and London naval
limitations treaties.
Best-informed sources said the Brit
iSh, who held their first separate dis
cussion with the Japanese last night,
acted only after urgent japanese in
Sistence.
Seek to Curb Bi-LateraI Talks.
An authoritative British source said
that while a few more bi-lateral dis
cuSSions would be held, they would be
kept to an absolute minimum and no
resumption of general bi-lateral dis
cussion system would be permitted.
Japanese sources said the first two
power conversations, held while MEM
bers of the American delegation were
resting in the country and the French
were week ending in Paris, were very
frank, cordial and useful"
Admiral Osami Nagano, chief jap
anese delegate, was understood to
have asserted it was impossible for
him to continue to attempt to present
his best arguments on the controver-
sial question Of naval equality before
large gatherings.
japanese Explains Talks.
A Japanese spokesman explained
that the private talks with the Brit
ish were to amplify the position al
ready taken in the regular sessions
and to permit an exchange of views.
The Japanese, insisting on equality
with the United States and Britain to
replace the present 5-5-3 ratio, and
conceding a right to all nations to
have equal navies, expressed a desire
to talk with other delegations frankly.
The Americans vigorously opposed
the bi|ateral discussion method at
preliminary conferences last year. de-
claring it created confusion, suspicion
and unpleasant incidents.
U. $. May Oppose Practice.
L.
lean delegate, could not be reached
for his official reaction, the Americans
were expected to oppose the practice
and do all possible to hold two-power
meetings to a minimum.
The conference will start its second
week Monday behind locked doors,
with only heads of delegations present.
No official minutes will be kept, in
formed sources anticipating this would
inspire outspoken views.
At the two-power meeting tonight
were, for the British, Viscount Mon
sell, first lord of the admiralty; Vice
Admiral Sir Ernie Chatfield, chief of
naval staff; Vice Admiral William
James; Robert Leslie Craigie. assist
ant undersecretary of the foreign Of
fee; Sir william w. Fisher, former
commander in chief of the Mediter-
ranean feet.
For the Japanese, Admiral OSami
Nagano, Matsuzo Nagai, Capt. Yashu-
taro Iwashita and Hidenari Terasaki.
Britain Cites Menace.
Vice Admiral Chatfield, it was re-
ported, explained the British opposi-
ton to Japanese demands for equality
by expressing anxiety over the Eu-
ropean situation, which he said neces-
STATED the keeping Of a considerable
portion of the British feet In these
waters.
Granting Japanese equality, he was
reported to have said, would mean
British naval inferiority in the Far
East, where Great Britain has ex-
tremely important interests. This, he
assertedly said. would be IAN unac-
ceptable situation"
A report that the Japanese may
advocate drawing a line across the
middle Pacific, over which neither
American nor Japanese warships
might cross without being considered
an aggressor, was described by Japa-
nese spokesman as quite without
foundation"
BRITISH ENVOY SEES HITLER.