DISARMAMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2000, 16 December 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

JAPAN ACCEPTS. THE NAVAL RATIO. AM) RETAINS THE "MUTSU." [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Thursday, 11.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 14. The Australian Press Association is able to state definitely that America consented to the Japanese retaining the "Mutsu," after a prolonged conference yesterday between Senator Hughes, Admiral Kato, and Mr Balfour. Japan's acceptance of the ratio, which arrived in Washington last week, was unconditional, but was coupled with an earnest plea from Admiral Kato for the retention of the "Mutsu," because of the intense feeling therefor throughout Japan. Senator Hughes was most sympathetic. Mr Balfour assented, stipulating only that there be. no change in the ratio, and that Japan should scrap the older tonnage to balance the addition. The United States will keep the "Colorado," \ "West Virginia," and two of the newest battleships. Britain may build two super-" Hoods," or adopt a new type of vessel falling within the 35,000 ton proviso in tho Hughes plan. The question is entirely a technical one, and the new committee of 15, mentioned tho other day, is meeting this afternoon to consider the matter. The present position leans towards a new type, seeing that the super-" Hoods" will be a class by themselves. OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION. (Received Thursday, 9.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 15. According to a despatch from Tokio, the Japanese Government has officially announced the acceptance of the five, live, three plan, unconditionally. FRANCE'S NAVAL CLAIMS. (Special.) (Received Thursday, 11.40 p.m.) •WASHINGTON. December 15. It is understood that Mr Balfour cabled to London to-night for the final consultations and instructions in regard to France's case for a larger navy. It is argued that if the French naval plans had been proceeded with, she to-day would have 500,000 tons of capital ships. Her construction was stopped at the outbreak of the war. If she had that total to-day her proportionate reduction would, place her tonnage at 300,000, which she is asking for. France is not able to construct a navy of this size now, as her finances will not permit it, but she wants to be in a position to have that tonnage in capital ships at the end of the tenyear period, when the present proportions are to become a fixed ratio for re-building purposes.

LATEST REPORTS. (Received Thursday, 9.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 14. Semi-official confirmation is available to-day of the statements regarding Japanese efforts to save the Mutsu. While agreeing to Senator Hughes' five. Ave, three plan, the Japanese made certain proposals to the "Big Three," for which the technical advisers had again to be called in. The proposals would involve Japan keeping the "Mutsu" and the "Nagata," the United States completing her two newest battleships, and England building two more, with a corresponding reduction in the tonnage of all three nations. Messrs Hughes and Balfour were anxious to meet Admiral Ivato's proposals, but most complicated- calculations were involved. The negotiations so far are tending towards an effort to keep the building programme down as far as possible, and none of the schemes advanced to date are quite satisfactory in this rega,rd. Everything said by the American spokesman this afternoon bore out the early message regarding the satis, factory completion of the naval ratio. He declared that progress was good, and the questions remaining for settlement were rathers matters of details than anything else. He hoped a definite statement would bo made shortly, and indicated that the French and Italian ratio would not be part of that s>tfenient, which would deal only with arrangements made by the three big Powers. MM. Sarrant and Jusserand to-day signed for Italy the quadruple treaty and memorandum. Italy has laid down two modern propositions regarding naval limitation, first, that her navy must be as large as France's and second, that the limit must bo as low as possible. It is asserted in Italian circles that France has agreed to the first condition. It is considered unlikely that the matter of the Chinese consortium, and Italy's participation therein, will come up at this Conference. It is understood that considerable progress was made in the Shantung conversations to-day. It is declared that Japan has agreed to the principle of a return railway, subject to three conditions; first the financial terms offered to China must be satisfactory; second, Japan retains some financial Interest in the line; third, Tokio must confirm the terms. Official: The Chinese and Japanese delegates discussed the question of the Tsingtao Tsinan railway and reached an understanding on several features of the question. THE SHANTUNG RAILWAY. AN INVOLVED QUESTION. (Received Thursday, 9.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON. December 14. There is a possibility that Messrs Hughes and Balfour will again call a conference of the Chinese and Japanese, in order to smooth out the sharp differences of opinion regarding the Shantung railway. It is hinted to-day hat the whole question involves all sorts of considerations, both economic and political, involving the national honour of both nations. There Is every hope that the conflicting views will be adjusted in the present atmosphere of Ohin'se and Japanese good feeling. To-day's meeting of the Far Eastern Committee lasted less than an hour. Tjv. Chinese merely submitted their views on the spheres of influence and ii" discussion was adjourned. This )ol<s as thought the committee is leliberately slowing down in order to allow the Shantung and other ques'ion.s, which are now the direct issue between China and Japan, to be further advanced towards a settlement. Official: The committee for Pacific and Far Fast to-day took up the auestion of the spheres influence and the special interests of China. The Chairman stated that in view of thu 1