Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-23
BRITAIN ALONE
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vent repetition of the ruthless sub
marine methods of the World War.
A 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
prepared to go ahead with the de-
layed presentation of estimates for
auxiliary craft she desires to keep
under the naval reduction program.
! The French indicated tonight that
they hoped, at tomorrow's meeting to
at least make known their exact re-
quirements as to submarine tonnage.
TOday's discussions took place be-
hind the closed doors of the COM
mittee room, but the British asked
that their indictment of the sub
! marine 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 to succeed, however, after to-
! days expression of views and are
planning to join in the move for an
!
! tons of underwater craft in future
! wars.
! Announcement OF the French that
they were unprepared to present fig
ures today as to their auxiliary ton
mage requirements caused general
surprise in conference circles. Be-
fore the committee meeting they had
indicated that their estimates were
ready but later it became apparent
that cable exchanges of an import
ant nature were in progress between
Washington and Premier BRAND In
/ these exchanges Secretary Hughes
! Joined as the conference chairman.
receiving word of the latest desires
of the French Premier in MESA ge
from Ambassador Harvey at London.
The nature of the exchanges was
, not revealed but considerable signiA-
canoe was attached to news dis
/ patch from abroad saying that NJ.
BRAND felt he must consult with the
! French cabinet before making a def
; mite answer to the messages from
. Washington. That development gener-
ally was accepted as greatly diminish
/ ing the possibilities Of an agreement
. cn auxiliary craft for several days
and some of those in conference cir
cles professed to see chance that
some new issue had arisen which
might again obscure some of the major
plans of the conference.
While the naval problems were in
the place of prominence during all OF
! found time to give increasing attcn-
ton to the discussion in American
official quarters over Interpretation of
! the new four-power treaty. They
| weighed the possible effect of the diff
! ference of view between President
! Harding and the American delegation
and watched departments in the Sen
ate, where group is organizing to
oppose ratification of the pact.
Meantime the Japanese announced
! they had prepared TO present at the
| next meeting of the Far Eastern COM
mittce. now expected to be held next
week. statement in opposition 10
/ Chinas request for abrogation of the
, agreements that resulted from the
| '21 demands" No further instruc-
lions came from Toxic to permit re-
sumption OF the Shantung ncgotia-
tions. and it was indicated tfat the
naval discussions would continue to
occupy the major attention of the
dele gates 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 declared
i underwater craft not only outraged all
considerations of humanity bur by il
/ legitimate methods jeopardized the
, nation life OF the British Isles. AS
defensive weapon. he argued. the
, submarine had proved inefficient except
in a limited way.
Albert Sarraut, Senator Schanzer
and Vice Foreign Minister Hanihara,
I speaking respectively for France,
Italy and Japan. replied that al
though submarines must be held
more closely within the practices of
| humane warfare, their abolition
would remove an important element
of national security. They all ex-
pressed warm appreciation of the
presentation Of the case by Lord
Lee, but indicated they could not
agree with him as to the submarines
defensive value.
For the United States. Secretary
Hughes suggested that the one note
of unanimity apparent among all
, powers was in relation to such re-
strction as would remove the alb
horrent fears of submarine warfare
in the World War. He read a report