The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-29
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that further attempts to secure recess
sion would be futile.
Under these estimates, France would
have a submarine tonnage Of 10000 as
against $1,000 which she now possesses
and which it was proposed that she
retain unchanged under the status quo
plan Of the American compromise. The
United States has only $4,000 tons and
Great Britain $4,000 tons, and each had
offered under the compromise pro-
posal to reduce to $4,000.
All the powers expressed their dis
appointment over the French decision,
even the Japanese, who had themselves
declined to accept the compromise
plan, declaring they had hoped until
today. that an agreement could be
worked out along the lines of the
earlier American reduction plan. The
most extended reply to N. Sarraut,
however, was delivered by Mr.. BaIfour.
France, declared Mr.. Balfour al
ready had insisted on retaining the
largest army in the world, and had
been allotted a capital ship strength
which instead. of reducing her present
standing as a naval power, actually
elevated it. In these circumstances,
he continued, it was difficult to believe
that the proposed increase IN subma-
rines and auxiliary tonnage was de-
signed as a defensive move. He
charged that the purpose Of so large a
submarine fleet was TO make an illegi-
innate attack on merchant shipping In
war time, and added that the whole
proposition must be viewed with "anx-
iety and disappointment" when it was
seen that the new building program
was to be carried out at the very door
of Great Britain.
In a speech replying in turn to the
British statesman. NJ. Sarraut de-
clared the French government was
free from any militaristic desires and
had no desire to carry on illegetimate
warfare. The French, he said, were
merely presenting a program based on
their national needs, whereas the
other powers had sought to "authori-
tatively determine" an allotment for
her without consulting her just re-
quirements.
The submarine regulations proposals
laid before the committee by Mr.. Root
were in the form of a series OF resolu-
tions first setting forth the principles
now generally accepted in international
law and then suggesting changes
which would further restrict subma-
rine operations. The first OF these
changes would prohibit the use Of un-
derwater craft as commerce destroy
ers. The second would provide that
airy staomarine commander who vio-
lates the rules Of war whether or not
such person is under order OF a gov
ernInentaI superior Shall be liable to
With the general principles ex-
pressed IN eae rvsolut4o..,, a.. $50 49,
cation expressed their accord. bur
there was no attempt to take definite
action on the question 1t was indi-
Gated that If an agreement were
reached regarding submarine usage. il
would be embodied in the five power
treaty that Is to contain the capitol
ship agreement, and that other gov
ernments would be invited oy sepa44t-
declarations to join IN the new regu-
lations.
The proposal to prohibit construc-
ton Of any auxiliary vessel Of more
thar 10000 tons. and to limit arma-
ment Of such vessels to guns Of
i7chos We r-e-o~tos - tl1e sva@~fcan