The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-29
INSISTS
ON FREE REINS
IN SUBMARINES
Must Have Flotilla Nearly
Three Times as Great as That
She Now Possesses.
tRy rhe AssoeIated Press,

WASHINGTON Dec. 2s.-Efforts tc
limit the naval strength Of the powers
in submarines and auxiliary warships
came to an abrupt end today after
they had drawn the French and Brit
ish arms conference delegates into a
plain spoken exchange over the posi-
bilities of a future war between France
and the British empire
The French, acting under renewed
instructions from their government
told the conference naval committee
with an air Of finality that France
must remain free to build a subma-
inc fotilla nearly three times as
great as that she now possesses and
to construct, in addition. cruisers. de-
stroyers and other auxiliary craft ur
to a tonnage of 100000.
To the proposal. the Americans, Jap
anese and Italians replied with ex-
pressioFs of surprise and regret, while
the British charged openly that such
a building program must be regarded
as a menace to British shores. Arthur
j. Balfour added that he had no doubt
If occasion arose, Great Britain would
4
complete freedom Of action as to the
construction of all types Of auxiliaries
which might be useful against under
water warfare.
Agreeing that further argument
would be useless, the committee turned
it's attention to collateral subjects, in
cluding regulations for future use OF
submarines, proposals for limitation OF
the size and armament Of individual
auxiliary vessels, and details OF tne
agreement already sealed in pYinciple
regarding capital ships.
For the American delegation, EIihu
Root proposed a joint declaration re-
affirming the obligation of submarine
commanders toward merchant ships
before attack, to refrain from sinking
vessels whose crews and passengers
could not first be placed in safety, and
to conform in general to all the estab-
lished practices OF international law.
In addition, Mr.. Root also suggested a
change of existing usage to prohibit
attacks on merchant vessels altogether
and to make submarine commanders
who violate the regulation liable to
trial as pirates.
of these proposals was expressed by
the representatives of all powers. but
definite action was. deferred Should
an agreement be reached, it is to be
submitted to all civilized nations with
an invitation for Worldwide adher-
ence.
Under a further proposal presented
BY the American delegation and given
general, but not final approval by the
other plenipotentiaries. no auxiliary
vessels of more than 10000 tons could
be constructed by any of the powers,
and no airplane carrier could have a
tonnage of more than $4,000 tons. a
maximum airplane carrier tonnage Of
$4,000 for the United States, $4,000 for
Great Britain, $4,000 for Japan. $4,000
for France and $4,000 for Italy also
was suggested by the Americans and
will be further discussed tomorrow.
The net result of the days delib-
erations so far as actual progress is
concerned, is an agreement of future
that no gun of more than 16-inch cal
ibre shall be mounted on a capital ship
and none of more than S-inch calibre
shall be included in the armament Of
any auxiliary vessel or airplane car
rier
Along with their demand for in
creased submarine and auxiliary tom
mage, the French delegation presented
to the COMMITTEES in definite form, but
with a reservation attached, their ac-
ceptance of the capital ship ratio under
which France is to have a first line
battleship fleet OF 175.0o0 tons. The
reservation provides that the French
be permitted to break in on the 10
year naval holiday, so as TO begin con-
struction of replacement tonnage in
1927. four years before the holiday
ends.
In most quarters this exception was
not regarded as likely to endanger in
any way the capital ship agreement,
but It was characterized by Mr.. Bal
four in the committee session as a
serious interfef ence with the holiday
plan The proposal Is under considera-
tion ~ the naval experts of the other
powers ana au efloet fo reaca a Gecl-
SION regarding II probably VIII 81 made
iu tie near future
Al8et Sarraut bead of me French
.aeleg tion. presented t8e Submarine
and auxiliary estimates OF his govern
ment to the committee in a speech de-
that the figures suggested
were a minimum required for national
defense. He emphasized that highest
French naval authorities as well as the
French cabinet had made a definite
decision on the point and indicated
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