Arizona republican., 1921-12-23
USE
 IF SUBMARINES .IS FAVORED BY
 SMALL NATIONS
American Delegates In FaUor Of Restrictions To Preuenf Ruthless Methods Of War
rRepubrIean A. p. Lea,ed wIr.1


 WASHINGTON. Dec. 22-Great Brtain's plea that the submarine be panlshed was presented to the arms conference today, but it received no support from any other power.
 In turn spokesmen of France, Italy and Japan replied that they regard ed submarines, when properly enl- pioyed, as legitimate and valuable arm or naval strength and were un- prepared to see them abolished. The American delegates took no final stand, but suggested that the con ference turn its efforts toward such a revision Of international practices as would prevent a repetition of the ruthless submarine methods of the World war.
 A further exchange Of views on the British proposal will take place to- morrow unless France, whose repre- sentatives again awaiting instruc- tlons rom their premier. is prepared to go ahead with the delayed pres entation of estimates for auxiliary craft she desires to keep under the naval reduction program. The French indicated tonight that they had hoped at tomorrow's meeting, to at least make known their exact reQuire- ments on submarines.
 Today's discussions took place be- hind the closed doors of the com mittee room, but the British asked I that their indictment of the subu1a- rine be made public and indicated that they probably would carry their light later to an open session of the conference. They apparently do not hope to succeed, however, after to- days expression of views. and are planning to join in the move for an understanding to restrict operations of underwater craft in future wars. French not Prepared
 Announcement of the French that they were unprepared to present fig ures today es to their auxiliary ton mage requirements caused general surprise in conference circles. Be- fore the committee meeting they had indicated their estimates were ready, but later it became apparent that iin- portant cable exchanges were in progress between Washington and Premier Briand. In these exchanges, Secretary Hughes joined as the con ference chairman receiving word of the latest desires of the French pre- mier from Ambassador Harvey of London.
 The nature of the exchanges was ! not revealed but considerable sig nificance was attached to a news dis patch from abroad saying that NJ. Briand must consult with the French cabinet before a definite answer to the messages from Washington That l develoment generally was accepted as greatly diminishing the possibility of an agreement on auxiliary craft for several days and some of those i in conference circles profeSSed to see a chance that some new issue had arisen which might again obscure ] some major plans of the conference While the naval problems were in ! the place of prominence during to- !. days negotiations. the delegates 1 found time to give increasing atten- ! tion to the discussion in American ! official quarters on the interpreta- ! ton of the new four power treaty. Discuss Harding Opposition They weighed the possible efforts 1 of the difference of view between l President Harding and the American delegates and watched developments | in the senate, where group is or | ganizing to oppose ratification. Meantime the Japanese announced they had prepared to. present at the next meeting of the Far Eastern 1 communities, now expected next week, a statement in opposition to r China's request for abrogation of the ! agreements that resulted from the | "tweuty-one demands" No further l. instructions came from ToSio 10 per init resumption of the Shantung ne- | gotiations.
 The case of Great Britain against i submarines was presented to the committee by Lord Lee, chief of the | British admiralty who declared under water craft not only outraged all l considera tions of humanity but by il- l legitimate methods jeopardiZed the <! national life of :he British Isles. As a defensive weapon, he argued, the | submarine had proved inefficient ex- | cept in a limited way.
 1 Albert Sarraut, Senator Schanzer | and Vice-Fore,gn Minister Hanihara,
 speaking respectively for France, Italy and Japan replied that although | submarines m st be held more closely within the practices of human war l fare, their abolition would remove an ! important element of national se- ! curity. They all expressed warm ap- ! preciation of the presentation of the case by Lord Lee, but indicated they ! could not agree with him as to the
 submarines defensive value.
 Restrict Sub Activities
 Secretary Hughes suggested that ] the one note of unanimity apparent among all powerc was in relation to | such restrictions as would remove the abhorrent features of submarine ! warfare in the World war. He read . a report by a subcommittee of the | American advisory committee recoTn- ! mending retention of submarines un- 1 der proper regulation and proposed