Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1921-12-27

Washington. Dec. 26 (By the A. P).-i
The arms conference naval committee,
which faces a perplexing situation in its
effort 10 agree on limitation of submarine
strength. tonight postponed it's next
meeting until Wednesday so that the
French and possibly the Japanese might
receive from home officials more definite
instructions regarding the compromise
proposal Of the American government
AL Indications here, however pointed
70 continued objection to the American
plan by bot ne japanese and the French
groups. At the same time the Americans
and British appeared to feel that in Of
fertng 10 scale down their submarine
fleets to so 900 tons each they had made
maximum concession in the interest Of
an agreement.
In these circumstances, more definite
shape was assumed by the movement for
a later conference, to be attended by a
larger number of nations. for another
examination Of the whole submarine
problem, and for a future meeting of the
great powers to assess the general pos
sihilities Of further armament limita-
tons. There were indications that the
plan for a world submarine conference
quickly. The proposed new conference
Of the powers on the general subject of
ornaments probably would be held in
1928 or 1929. and provision for it would
be made in the treaty that is to embody
the decisions of the present meeting
Postponement of the naval committee
meeting from tomorrow to Wednesday is
understood to have resulted from a re-
quest from the French delegates, who
have not yet heard the formal verdict of
their home government on the American
plan to fix American and British SUBJ
marine strength at $4,000 tons and to
make a status quo arrangement for
France. Italy and Japan. The impression
among the members of the French dele
cation tonight was that the plan would
be wholly unsatisfactory to Paris.
A submarine tonnage of 10000 has
been suggested for France by her naval
experts, and under the American pro-
posal she would only have about 81
600.
The japanese maintained silence as
20 Their future course in the negotiations
but there was no evidence that they in
tend 70 recede from their fat refusal
70 accept the American compromise. The
japanese delegates have told the con-
ference they considered $4,000 tons OF
Eubmersibles necessary to their nation.
al security in place Of the 81, 900 allot-
ted them in the compromise arrange
uent. In some quarters, however it is
hoped that further advices from Toxic
may soften somewhat their position
Should the American plan fail to bring
the powers together, II is suggested by
Some Of those connected with the con,
ference that consideration may be Civ
en- to proposal for general building
holiday IN submarines, under an agree
ment that all Ave of the powers Would
leave their sIbmersible strength dis
tributed as at present in the variou.
pea areas. Under this suggestion, which
has SO far received no formal endorse
rneut from any Of tbs delegations, thu
United States, Great Britain, Japan
Italy and France all would undertake
10 maintain exactly the tonnage of sub.
marines they now have stations in tn
respective region Of the Atlantic, tn
Pacific, the Mediterranean and the
Adristic.
TIE proposal to write into the nava
lnits ton treaty an agreement for reas
ssrblinE the conference Of the powers
probably seven years hence, has begun
to take more definite form over tn
Christmas recess. An Informal ex
change Of views among the American
British and French delegates has de
veloped a feeling that by that time /
may be possible 70 work out an exten
sion NJ the naval holiday in the light o
p seven wear test Of the agreemen
which II made possible. In any event
4 has been said, there will be detail
n work out Of the programme that i
70 replace the ten year feet status witt
actual application Of the "5-5-3" cap
taI ship ratio.
II also appeared more probable to
aizht that some definite step toward
ro-ld conference on submarines. proba
BY 20 be held within three years afte
ne Washington conference ends its Ia
sors would be taken within the next da,
y two. Exactly What form It will tax
Is IN doubt pending final action her
81 submarines and it is certain that tn
American delegation plans to exhaus
every effort 20 bring about an agreemen
as 70 submarine tonnage which Will re
suit in actual reduction Of tonnage an
delirnitstion Of future submarine buildn
programmes before passing from tina
subject 70 other auxiliary craft proper
tions.
TIE initial suggestion for a world sui
marine conference came from the Brit
iSh delegation in line with its fruitles
effort 70 get the Washington conferenc
70 agree to adjustment Of underwate
craft entirely. The American delega
fion expressed much sympathy with II
British view, but was not ready to cor
slider such q step, except in coniun,
ton with an nations OF the world
Il was pointed out that in the ever
81 the calling Of a special world sui
marine conference, such matters as upo
the position OF gas. aircraft bombin
and any other new agencies Of war couI
be talked over with view to setting u