The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-25
COMMITTEE NAMED
Will Agree on Method of
Measuring Tonnage
Of Naval Craft.
.SCHANZER INSISTS
ON FLEET FARLEY
Sarraut Points Out That
Other NATIONS Are Not
Obligated.

A special committee today is func-
tioning within the naval armament
conference. Its task. according to
the Official communique made public
last night. is to agree upon a method
of measurement of tonnage for naval
craft that viii standardize all ves-
sells of all nations. This committee
is made up of Admirals Taylor and
Pratt. fof the United States: Rear
Admiral Sir Ernie Chatfield and
instruction Commander stanton. for
Great Britain; Capitaine de Vaisseau
Trochot and Capitaine de Vaisseau
Dupuy- -Dutemps, for France: Vice
Admiral Baron Acton and Comdr.
Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli. for Italy,
and two yet to be selected for Japan.
This committee Will get busy i'm
mediately. and it's decision may
serve to bring about a decision on
points now beclouded because each
nation represented here has a diff
ferent measure of arriving at naval
tonnage.
SchanHer Repeats stand.
The eommunique as issued con-
tained the details of the various dis
that featured the day. The
high spots of the afternoon session.
following the announcement of the
new program suggested by Chair
man Hughes. were as follows:
For Italy. Sentor Schanzcr said:
My colleagues are acquainted
with the principles upon which. ac-
cording to our opinion. the solution
of the problem of naval armament
must be based. We have laid down
these principles ever since the first
meeting of this committee, they
have-been accepted BY you and we
could not depart from them even
today. These principles are the
parity of the Italian fleet with all
other large neighboring fleets. and
the reduction of naval armaments
to the quantity strictly necessary
for defensive naval policies.
The above principles have beer
applied in regard to capital ships
they must be applied with regard
to the other category of naval
armament. Since the armistice Italy
has demolished as many as thirty
submarines. She Is actually left
with forty-three units in active
service and four under construc-
tion. the total amounting to 2o.25(
tons.
Seeks Parity with France.
only ten of the first units may
be considered of any utility sine.
they are of more than 700 tons dis
placement The others will have tC
be successfully replaced.
Although our naval technical
authorities believe that the allot.
ment of submarine tonnage should
not necessarily be proportionate &C
that OF capital ships. and that the
quota of 31,500 tons for submarines
corresponding to the American pro.
posal of tonnage of l75,000 for
capital ships is not sufficient, the
Italian delegation is ready. in the
interest of the reduction of arma.
ments, to accept this amount, un.
der the condition of parity will
France.
The principle of parity has beer
fully accepted by France and
take this occasion to observe that
the friendly attitude of our allieC
nation will greatly contribute I,
strengthen the cordial relations oi
friendship between France and II.
ally, which constitute one of tn,
principal guarantees of peace il
Europe.
Japan Retains Views.
For Japan, Mr.. Hanihara said
The japanese delegation has beer
profoundly impressed by the abl,
and powerful arguments of theii
most esteemed British colleague,
against submarines. Yet the Japan.
ese delegation is unable to con
vince itself that the submarine 4.
not an effective and necessary wea
pom for defense.
The Japanese delegation, there
fore, feels constrained to insist upor
the assignment of the tonnage pro.
posed in the original American pro
ject; /. e., $4,000 tons Of subma
rines.
without wishing for a momen
to debate or call in question an,
part of the arguments, so ably ant
soeloQuently presented by the vari
Gus delegates, / hope that I ma,
be permitted to point out that, thi,
demand on the part of Japan Is ac
tuated solely by consideration
Of defense. Japan is geographical.
SO TemOtCiy eiludtSu Nhos ~ mus
be evident to all that her subma
rines could not constitute a menac'
against any nation"
For France, NJ Sarraut said: ''Ir
view of the fact that the new Amer
ican proposal contemplates con
siderable reduction in the submarine
tonnage which appears necessary Il
the French government. the Frencl
delegation can not do otherwise thai
await instruction"
For Great Britain, Mr.. Balfour sait
that as the committee appeared t.
be at the end of their days pro.
gram, he would like to ask the chair.
man and his colleagues whether 9
technical examination should not b,
initiated of the system Of naval ton,
and the measurement. Of tonnage,
Secretary Hughes then suggested
the naming OF the committee, Of ex'
perts and this was agreed to.
Dealing with the morning session
the high spots Of, the speeches Of the
various delegates were: ts
NJ. Sarraut. after paying high trib-
ute to Mr.. Balfour and his eloquence
said: e
"You cannot assume here certain
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