Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-31
Committee Reaches
Agreement on Air
and Auxiliary Craft


Washington, Dec. 30-(By A. Po-'
Agreements reached today by the
naval committee of the arms confer
ence included size and aggregate
tonnage limitations on aircraft car
riers and, subject only to French gov
eminent confirmation. on size and
armament of auxiliary craft.
That cleared the committees
decks. pending replies from the
French and japanese governments on
the Root resolution to initiate the
banning entirely of submarine war
fare against commercial craft. Ad-
journment was taken until next
week, when these communications
are expected to have been received
and completion of the naval limita-
ton agreement in committee made
possible.
The Root sub committee will take
up tomorrow the drafting of the Root
proposal to reaffirm existing rules of
naval warfare against merchant
craft and declare their application to
submarines and invite adherence of
all powers. simultaneously. the COM
Inittee of naval experts will work out
replacement chart for capital ships
to complete that section of the limi-
tation agreement.
The American proposal to limit
auxiliary craft other than aircraft
carriers to 10000 tons and their arm
ament to guns of not more than
.eight-inch bore was approved for
mally by all delegations but the
French, who deferred formal answer
pending advices from Paris.
The American proposal to limit
aircraft carriers to a maximum of
$1,000 tons displacement was unani-
mously accepted, the basis of rela-
tive aggregate tonnage arranged be-
ing Great Britain and the United
States $4,000 tons each, or five car
riers of the maximum size; Japan
$1,000 tons or three ships Of the
maximum tonnage; France and Italy,
10000 tons each, or a little more than
would be required for two maximum
size ships. The French tonnage re-
suited from the statement of French
experts that on examination of the
question, France might prefer to
have three 10000 ton carriers to two
$1,000 ton craft
When the naval committee met to-
day, Senator Schanzer said the Root
proposal to bank submarine warfare
against merchant ships entirely as
amended by Mr. Balfour for the
British to be Immediately effective as
between the five signatory powers,
pending it's ratification as new
statement of international law had
been communicated to the Rome
government. which prevented further
debate by the Italians. NJ. Sarraut
made a similar statement for the
French group and Chairman Hughes
agreed that discussion int he circum-
stances would be of limited value.
For Japan, Mr.. Honihara said it
had been necessary to submit the
precise text" of the Root resolution
banning submarine warfare on mer-
chant ships, to the Irish government
for formal assent
Chairman Hughes again suggested
deferment of discussion and brought
up instead the resolution proposing
limitation of auxiliary craft to 10000
tons and eight-inch guns. .ts
Admiral Baron kato gave thee ac-
ceptance of Japan of this proposal
He pointed out, however, that unless
the question of limitations as to
large. speedy merchantmen, was
worked out. the auxiliary ship reso-
luton the 10000 ton limitation APP
piled to all but three classes Of war
ships, capital craft. airplane carriers
and ships now existing. He pro-
posed the following rearrangement Of
the wording of the resolution, which
was accepted:
mo ship of war hereafter built,
other than capital ship or airplano
carrier, shall exceed total tonnage
displacement of 10000 tons and no
gun shall be carried by any ship Of
war hereafter, other than a capital
ship. with a calibre in excess of
eight inches"
The question OF regulations for
converting merchantmen into auxi-
liary warships. Mr. Hughes said,
would be brought up later.