SMALLER NAVIES

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1921, Page 5

SMALLER NAVIES

FAULTS IN THE SCHEME, ADVANTAGE TO BRITAIN. NEW PROPOSALS SOUGHT. PROBLEM FOR EXPERTS. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) 1 Received Dec. 2, 9.25 p.m. Washington, Dec. 1. j Though consideration of a naval holi- ■ day has not yet been officially reached ■ there is reason to believe it has been | found that a complete cessation of war- ; ship building for ten years, as suggested in the American plan, has been found impracticable. I When the figures were examined it j became manifest that the conditions i suggested for replacement would, if no ! ships were built for ten years, give ! Britain a great preponderance of capital . ships when building was allowed, amounting to twelve against the United States’ four and Japan's one. This is due to the age of the ships left in commission under the present plan, whereby the majority of British replacements would take place long in advance of those of the United States Thus the British Navy would be vastly superior after building was allowed. Thereafter, at five and ten year intervals. the balance would be readjusted alternately in favour of the United States and Britain. British experts made the discovery and pointed it out to the Americans, who agreed.

NAVAL HOLIDAY PRINCIPLE. ' The problem now before the experts lis to devise a scheme preserving the principle of a naval holiday and overcoming the difficulties outlined. The solution suggested is that nations be allowed to build two ships every three years. The British also suggest that instead of an aggregate tonnage basis the agreement should be in terms of ships, assigning fifteen to Britain and the United States and nine to Japan, all to be thirty-five thousand tons, thus slightly increasing the tonnage above the five-five-three ratio, but not affecting the ratio. Some Conference quarters to-day suggest the possibility of a decision regarding the naval ratio will not be arrived at for several days, the reason being that there is no desire on the part of both the American and the Japanese delegates to have the matter finalised before some thorny Far Eastern questions, such as Shantung, come up for settlement. Much, therefore, may depend on China’s attitude, though it is hinted scmi-officially that she is not averse to a compromise, while it is known Japan is ready to make considi erable concessions, even beyond her previous offers. The questions of Far Eastern fortifixations were also under notice at today's discussions, one view of the Jap am se attitude in regard to the naval ratio being that she is refraining from acquiescence iq the American plan un- . til she is more certain that she will bo assured by future guarantees that her Pacific position will not be further 1 challenged. PESSIMISM UNWARRANTED.

i Mr. A. J. Balfour (Britain) and Mr. ' C E. Hughes (America) opened conver- • sat ions with the Chinese and Japanese this afternoon with speeches, hoping to I lead to a just and satisfactory conclus sion. They then left, after Admiral Kato and M. Sze expressed appreciation. The State Department here eharacterI ises as inaccurate the rumour that Admiral Kato has formally presented to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Balfour the con- ' >-lus>ons of the naval experts. Nevertheless, it is admitted in authoritative circles that the matter has now left the experts, and has become one of principle for the ‘’big three.” Nothing formal has been put forward it is explain- . ed, the Experts having developed the ; reports and recommendations, and the matter will go to the “big three,” who ■ first asked for such reports. There is ; no occasion, therefore, to talk about a ' deadlock, and the American position re- ' mains unchanged. English delegation circles were at pains to-day to correct a somewhat pessimistic tone adopted by a section of the Press as to the outcome of the Conference. Public assurance was given ' that this was quite unjust, and there was not need to anticipate such a catasi trophe as breaking down. A most hopeI ful view was taken by one high authority, who summarised the position Jbv saving experts were invaluable in ; their proper place, but they must not , guide the policy of statesmen. This is • Indicative of the attitude wr.rcn will I probably bo taken by the “big three” '' towards’ the experts’ reports. Admiral Kato denied that he presented any statement to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Balfour. He had received the experts’ reports, and was now digesting them. He denied further that any in structions had been received from Tokio insisting that the Japanese delegate? should demand an improvement in the capital ship ratio. Admiral Kato would not admit that a state of deadlock existed.

The British view that submarines should be abolished was again emphasised in delegation quarters to-day. Received Dec. 2, 8.5 p.m. London, Dee 1. The Daily News' Washington correspondent says: “J -J - not agree with the common American view that Japan is finessing on the naval question. Whatever insinuations have been made regarding Shantung there is nothing tangible to justify them.” THE NAVAL QUESTION. JAPAN WILL NOT YIELD New York. Dec. 1. The Tokio representative of the < nited Press was informed by officials that the Japanese Government had instructed Admiral Ka‘o to stand firm on the 70 per cent, ratio of naval armaments, regardless of the consequences. A high official declared that Japan will not yield on this vital point, even if it breaks up the conference. The correspondent thinks, however, that this is the extreme official view. The Press continues to reflect t'he strong popular demand for a compromise. THE DOMINION DELEGATES. TRIBUTE TO THEIR WORK. Received Dec. 2, 9.25 pan. Washington, Dec. 1. J£r. A. X Balfour, at to-day’s iatarview

with the Press, paid a warm tribute to the work of Mr. G. F. Pearce (Australia), Sir John Salmond (New Zealand) and other oversea delegates. They gave him the greatest possible assistance, and he did not know how he would get along without them. The Dominions belonged to a single Empire, united in ardent patriotism. Their representatives were working in perfect harmony, and doing their utmost to bring the conference to a successful conclusion. It. was certain no community ever sent to any conference more capable representatives, who were zealous in the common cause. He owed them more than he could say. They afforded mutual assistance and reciprocal advice on the complicated mass of subjects dealt with.