The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-23
WILL SEEK TOSTOP CRUEL PRACTICES
 ON THE HIGH SEAS
French Do Not Place Data On Auxiliary Tonnage Be- fore the Naval Com
 mittee
Rr Associated Press

Washington, December 22.-Great Britains plea that the submarine be banished from the seven seas was presented to the arms conference to- day. but it received no support from any other power.
 Tn turn the spokesmen of France, Italy and Japan replied that they re- garded submarines. when properly employed, as a legitimate and valu- able arm of naval strength, and were unprepared to see them abolished.
 The American delegates took no final stand on the question but sug- gested that the conference turn it's efforts toward such a revision of international practices as would pre- vent a repetition of the ruthless sub marine methods of the World war
 further exchange of views on the British proposal will take place tomorrow, unless France. whose rep resentatives again are awaiting in~ structions from their premier, Is pre- pared to go ahead with the delayed presentation of estimates for aukil- iary craft she desires to keep under the naval reduction program
 The French indicated tonight that they hoped. al tomorrow's meeting. to at least make known their exact requirements as to submarine ton- mage.
 Closed Doors
 Today's discussions took place be- hind the closed doors of the commit tee room. but the British asked that their indictment of the submarine be made public and indicated that they probably would carry their fight later to an open session of the conference. They apparently do not hope 10 sue ceed, however, after todays express sion of views and are planning to join in the move for an underestimate ing 10 restrict the operation of un- derwater craft In future wars.
 Announcement of the French that they were unprepared to present fig ures today as to their auxiliary ton nage requirements caused general surprise in conference circles. Be- fore the committee meeting they had indicated that their estimates were ready, but later 1t became apparent that cable exchanges of an important nature were in progress between Washington and Premier Briand. In these exchanges Secretary Hughes joined. as the conference chairman, receiving word of the latest desires of the French premier In message from Ambassador Harvey at London.
 Consult Cabinet
 The nature Of the exchanges was not revealed. but considerable sig niflcance was attached to a news dis patch from abroad saying that M. Briand felt he must consult with the Erapnh nite answer to the messages from Washington. That development gen. orally was accepted as greatly di- minishing the possibility of an agrees ment on auxiliary craft for several days and somo of those iIl conference circles professed to see chance that some new issue had arisen whIch might again obscure some of the ma jor plans of the conference.
 While the naval problems were in the place of prominence during all of the days negotiations, the delegates found time to give increasing atten- ton to the discussion in American official quarters over the interpreta- ton of the new four-power treaty. They weighed the possible effect of the difference of view between Presf- dent. Harding and the American dele gates and watched developments In the Senate, where a group is organ izing to oppose ratification of the pact.
 Meantime the Japanese announced that they had prepared to present at the next meeting of the far eastern committee now expected to be held next week, a statement in opposition to China's request for abrogation of the "21" demands No further in- structions came from Tokio to per init resumption of the Shantung ne- gotiations and 1t was indicated that the naval discussions would continue to occupy the major attention of the delegates until after Christmas.
 The case of Great Britain against the submarine was presented to the committee today by Lord Lee, chief of the British admiralty, who de- clared underwater craft not only outraged all considerations of hu- manity but by illegitimate methods jeopardized the national life of the British Islands
 As defensive weapon, he argued. they had proven inefficient except in a limited way Albert Sarraut, Sem ator Schanzar and Vice Foreign Min ster Hanahira, speaking respectively for France. Italy and Japan, replied that although submarines must be held more closely within the prac- tices of humane warfare their aboii- tion would remove an important ele- Tient of national security. They all expressed warm appreciat ton or the case s presented by Lord Lee, but said they could not agree with him.