Pueblo chieftain., 1921-12-29

TO the proposal the American, Jap
anese aud Italians replied with express
sious of surprise and regret, while the
British charged that such a building
program must be regarded as men
ace to British shores. Arthur J. Bal
four added that he had no doubt II oc-
casion arose Great Britain would be
equal to it, but only If she reserved
complete freedom of action as to the
construction of all types of suxiliaries
which might be useful against UNDER
water war craft.
Agreeing that further arguments
would be useless the committee turned
It's attention to collateral subjects, in
Guiding regulations for future use OF
submarines. proposals for limitation of
the size and armament of individual
auxiliary vessels and details of the
agreement already sealed in principle
rega riding capital ships.
For the American delegation Elihu
Root proposed a joint declaration re-
affirming the obligation of submarine
commanders to warn merchant ships
before attack, to refrain from sinking
vessels whose crews md passengers
could not first be placed in safety. and
10 conform in general to all the estab-
lished practices of International law.
In addition, Mr. Root also suggested a
change in existing usage to prohibit
attack on merchant vessels altogether
and to make submarine commanders
VINO violate tho regulation, liza bic TO
trial as pirates.
General sympathy for the purpose OF
these proposals was expressed by the
representatives of all the powers, but
definite action was deferred.
Should an agreement be reached it
is TO be submitted to all civilized ma
tions with an invitation for world wide
adherence
Under "A further proposal presented
by the American delegation and given
general but not final approval by the
other pleuipoteutiaries no auxiliary
vessel of more than 10000 tons could be
constructed by any OF the powers and
no airplanc carrier could have a tom
mage of more than 27.oca tons. \ maxi
mum airplanc carrier tonnage OF 10000
for the United States. 10000 for Great
Britain. 5000 for Japan. $4,000 for
France and 2S,o00 for Italy also was
suggested by the Americans and will
be further discussed tomorrow.
The net result of the days delibcra-
tons so far as actual progress is con-
ccrned was an agreement that In
future no gun OF moro than 1s-inch
calibrc shall be mounted on a capital
ship and none of more than s-inch
calibro shall be included In the arma-
nent of any auxiliary vessel or air
plane carrier.
Along with their demand for In
creased submarine and auxiliary ton
mage tho French delegation presented
In definite form. but with a rcsorva-
ton attached, their acceptance OF tho
capital ship ratio under which France
Is to have a first line battleship fleet
Of $4,000 tons.
The reservation provides that the
French be permitted to break In on
the ten year naval holiday so as to be-
gin construction of replacement tom
mage in 1927. four years before the
holiday ends.
In most quarters this exception was
not regarded as likely to endangor the
capital ship agreement but IL was
characterized by Mr.. Balfour as ~
serious Interference with tho holiday
plan.
Albert Sarraut head OF the French
delegation. presented tho submarine
and auxiliary estimates of his Roy-
crnmeut TO the committee In n speech
declaring that tho figures suggested
were n minimum required for national
defense
Under these estimates France would
have submarine tonnage " N. 900
tons as against II GOO she now possesses
aud which it was proposed that she
(CpDtinupd paco T,roN