Evening star., 1921-12-23
European Issue as Difficult
of Solution as Pacific
Ship Situation.
FUTURE PARtEY ASKED
BY ITALIAN DELEGATES
Argue Smaller Nations MAY Ex.
ceed Tonnage if Limit Is Placed
at This Time.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN

ni u. GUILD LINCOLN,
me european naval problem is
proving as difficult" as was the naval
problem of the Pacific. In fact It Aas
declared today by a Spokesman for
'"e oallan delegation prior to the
meeting OF the committee on limita
'ioh or armament of the Washineon
conference, at 3 pm, that the most
Interesting point of the conference
had been reached"
IL will be recalled. however that
the so-called naval prob,em of III,
ae'i'c was settled satisfactorily to all
d'ai Ties at the conference. There is a
ieel'hs OF optimism today that the
conference will be able TO dea, salts
iac'orily also with the European sit.
uation.
Two Courses Omen.
AS the delegates of the fve nowers
taking part in the discussion of tha
auon OF armaments assembled
III the Pan-American building, two
courses We're open for the conference
meeting this afternoon. Either con-
sideratlon of Great Britain's proposal
lot the total abolition of the sub-
marine, which was discussed yes.er.
das' would proceed. or the French
proposals with regard to the tonnage
ahotment of auxiliary craft. inciud
ing submarines, would be given tho
right of way.
IN some quarters the opinion was
feady TO proceed with their proposals
as 10 the tonnage of auxiliary craft.
there would be every dispositjon TO
take advantage of the committcc
meeting today to consider these nro-
posaiS. a matter of great importan nee
10 the conference.
Ihat a strict code of Internal ational
rules governing the use of subma
rines Will be adopted at the present
conference and that other nations
VIII be asked to subscribe to these
ruies. All of the five delega tions
nave declared themselves in favor of
the adoption of such rules. though
the British declare themselves sken-
tical as to their observance in the
event of war
That the struggle will come in the
present conference over the tonnage
aliottment of submarines and other
auxliliarieS for the various nations,
Italians Propose Conference.
The Italian delegation. it was learned
today. has proposed that a conference Of
the powers be called in the future to
CONSIDER questions relating to sub
marines and other naval matters.
The Italians have pointed out that
If the submarine tonnage of the ma
tons taking part in the present con-
ference is limited, they may wake up
some day to find that other nations.
rot now considered important from a
naval point of view, have exceeded
them in submarine tonnage.
For instance, it is estimated that
$4,000 tons of submarines can be con-
structed at present for $4,000. .O0o-
not a great sum when it comes to
naval construction.
1t may be stated definitely that the
arguments for the abolition Of the
submarines presented to the confer
ence committee yesterday ky Lord Lee
on behalf Of the British have not al
tered the position of the Italian dele
cation in favor of submarines as a
naval weapon. They believe that the
submarine is valuable for coast de-
fense and also for scouting purposes,
and their experts will maintain this
position.
United States Yet to Answer,
1t is believed that the French DO
sition also has not been changed
by the arguments of the British
spokesman, although Admiral de Bon
has recommended that complete
and more technical answer be pre-
sented by the French naval experts,
in view Of the very interesting pres
entation by Lord Lee.
The American delegation, it was
said today. still have their answer to
make,- having taken the matter un-
der advisement. But it is believed
that the Americans will oppose the
abolition of the submarine also. in
accordance with the views of their
naval experts, and the advisory COM
mittee, whose report on submarines
was read to the committee meeting
yesterday by Secretary Hughes.
Final Instructions Awaited.
At French headquarters it was said
this afternoon that so far only partial
instructions from Paris had been re-
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