The New York herald., 1921-11-18
DELEGATES TO FIGHT
SUDSANDPOISONGA GAS
Many Will Take Stand in
Line With Editorial in
The New York Herald
INDORSED BY BALFOUR
Baron Kato, japanese Mill
ister of Marine, Is in SYM
pathy With Plan.
BORAH OPPOSES HUGHES
Believes That All Submarines
Should Be Destroyed
Pirates, Says Fiske.
BORAH OPPOSES HUGHES
Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C. Nov II

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Nov. IL.
THE New York HERALps editorial
declaration that the submarine and
poison gas-'the weapons Of the viper
should be abolished in the interna-
tional agreement limiting the arma-
ments of the nations of the world
struck a responsive chord to-day in
Washington.
The editorial attracted the attention
not only of American delegates to the
conference but those Of foreign ma
tions as well. The spokesman of the
different foreign lands for the most
part applauded the sentiment ex-
pressed, declaring it to be a high ideal
for which the nations should strive.
They were unanimous in asserting
that if war should come again it
should be with weapons becoming to
the civilization that conducts it, for an
honorable cause, and that there must
be no resort again to the vile means Of
killing employed in the last war.
1t is necessary to breathe the atmos-
phere of Washington just at this time
to realize the general hesitancy among
these who are taking part in the con-
ference about taking determined stand
on any subject. The foreign delega-
tions are looking to the United States
TO take the lead in setting forth the
programme. But while there is of ne
cessity lack of official quotation--that
is from the foreign delegations-the
sentiment is that the subjects should
be included in the agreement And
there is hope that they will be there.
Lee and BaIfour Line Up.
1t is possible to say that Lord Lee,
First Lord of the British Admiralty, to-
gether with Arthur j. Balfour spokes-
man for the British delegation to the
conference, are in thorough accord with
the views expressed in THE NEW YORK
HERALD This is true particularly Of
submarines-for England suffered as no
nation ever suffered before when the
Germans brought the undersea craft
into the war so lawlessly. Their stand
is the same when it comes to poison
gas.
Admiral Baron Kato, the Japanese
Minister of Marine. let it be known that
he too is in sympathy with the views
of the editorial, although he felt It would
no improper at this time to be inter-
viewed for publication.
The submarine question is now up
before the conference Admiral Kato
said. "and the Japanese policy concern
ing them will be made known in due
time. The British Government has taken
me lead in asking a modification about
submarines in the agreement, and the
japanese delegation is anxious to wait
urtil the British position is made clear"
The American military position con-
cerning poison gas always has been ono
OF defence, and In this the other ma
tions which were associated in the war
against the Central Powers were in ac-
cord. The United States Army main
talns a chemical warfare service, with
all brands or poison gas. upon the the
ory that enemy nations with the knowl-
edge that America has this deadly gas.
will refrain from using it in the fear of
retaliation. But it may be said that IL
the other nations OF the world entered
into an agreement to make no more gas
the United States would be happy to
join them.
tVHs US ~ '" st'
Lord Riddell of the British staff. on
seeing the editorial, made this COM
ment:
obviously the submarine question
Is one of vital Importance. The object
of the conference. as L understand il, is
TO make war difficult, IL not impossible,
and therefore due attention must be paid
TO all classes of naval weapons. II may
be cheaper to build submarines. but
again, the object of the conference Is
not to enable nations to prepare for war
cheaply.
This Is a technical question and will
he carefully considered by the technical
advisers of the various nations. The
subject touches Great Britain closely.
because she depends for hen food upon
sea communications"
Senator Borah of Idaho sacd
II don't want to be understood as
seeking to find criticism or find fault
with Mr.. Hughes's programme. but my
personal view is that submarines should
be destroyed. We can safely take the
position OF favoring the destruction of
ocean going submarines. ] regard them
as wholly indefensible as an instrument
of warfare and | heartily agree with
the proposition OF prohibiting their use
entirely"
Senator Wadsworth IN. ", chair
man of the Military Affairs Committee,
had this TO say:
The question Of abolishing the SUBJ
marine and the use of poison gases In
warfare Is now before the arms con-
ference. Comment by Senator's upon
questions before the conference, in my
opinion, can serve no useful purpose"
Representative Kelley of Michigan.
chairman of the House appropriations
subcommittee In charge of the naval bill.
said
II favor curtallment of the subma-
rine. | doubt, however. whether Il
would be wise TO give il up entirely,
because IL may be regarded as very
useful weapon OF coast defence
Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske Gre
tlred) said.
Submarines. ilegitmately used
against merchant vessels without warn
ing. without visit and search and with
cntire disregard for life and property
Of civilians and neutrals, are highly ef-
fectivo. But they are In effect pirates
and outlaws. according to the rules OF
civilized warfare"