The New York herald., 1921-12-29
MAIN OBJECT WON,
is VIEW OF BRITISH
Limitation Of Capital Ships
Tremendous Achievement,
Says Spokesman.

specios Dispatch to THE NEW YozK HnlLp
NsE Yerk Herald Bureau.
Waahingtoa, d. c., Dec. -.
Qualification over the agreement on
the limitation OF capital ships and dis
appointment at Frances refusal 20 agree
on submarine reduction were, expressed
to-day In the American. British and Ital.
ian delegations. Tne Japanese appeared
Indifferent. having already announced
that they were willing to stand by Amer.
ica's primary proposal
Members of the British delegation wiac
discussed to-day's event characterized
Frances decision as .'quite extraordi.
nary" and indicated clearly that they
considered il to mean that the lid Is
or" SO far as future construction OF sub
marines and anti-submar:ne crart Is con-
cerned.
The American Delegates were inclined
to be reticent as to the future building
Of submarines.
Both the Americans and the British
agree that, keen as is their disap-
pointment because France would not
consent to further limitations, the very
fact that q limitation Of capital ships
has been accomplished Is In itself a
tremendous achievement. One of the
British apokesrnen characterized il as
tho biggest thing ever done In history
to prevent the growth Of offensive ma
vies. and 8 truly extraordinary accom-
plishment."
The British view of the effect Of the
failure of the submarine Issue Is that
there will he no limit in the number of
auxiliary ships that may be built by
any nation. The Limitation will be ap-
piled to tho size Of the non-capital ships
and their gun power.
1t was explained by a spokesman for
the British that with the large number
of steel built steam propelled fishing
vessela Great Britain will not be greatly
battered to provide anu-submarine IA
cilities. But the British Government will
see TO II that bother or no bother It's
navy is adequately equipped to fight
submarines. This will include aircraft
and aircraft carriers, II was pointed out,
but to what extent can only be deter
mined by the future. The British said.
however. that definite action probably
will have to be taken in the natter of
aircraft carriers TO prevent q capital
ship being built in the guise Of an air
craft carrier.
The general opinion among the Brit
ish and Americans Is that the building
Of anti-submarine craft will follow the
actual building Of submarines. II no
country goes In heavily for the building
Of submarines the building Of anti-sub-
marine craft will naturally be kept
down. 1t Is admitted. however. that the
lack Of limitation on submarines rem
ders con,Detftiye building In that field
a probability.
The British expressed strong approval
OF Senator Roots resolution calling for
the regulation OF the use of submarines.
but admission was made that the Brit
ish are skeptical concerning the obser-
vance OF these rules In war II q nation
should get its back to the wall.
At the next plenary session the Brit
ish will make their final declaration on
the submarine issue. Thsy do not con-
slider It dead by any means. While un-
willing to make predictions as to tho
next step In the matter they are con-
vinced that public opinion throughout
the world will support their position in
tho snd and that sooner or later the
submarine will be abolished.
Asked X the French request TO begin
building in 1897 did not upset the naval
holiday program. one OF the British
delegates smiled and said. 'It upsets
many things"
The problem Of cost to italy was men,
toned by one Of the italian delegates,
who said that their people would regret
having to spend great deal OF money
on her navy which seemed inevitable II
France started heavy naval building.
All the delegations seemed to feel that
Francis action is final so far as this
conference Is concern ed