Evening star., 1921-11-15
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

With impressive expression of ap-
probation Of the American suggestion
for limitation of naval armament,
Great Britain and Japan today declared
their acceptance of it in principle and
in spirit, leaving to technical working
out in committee by experts of desired
notifications to be set forth hereafter.
France and Italy voiced concurrence
also.
Premier BRAND said that at a later
date. in open session of the conference,
he would address it upon the subject
of land armaments. Secretary Hughes
said that he would be given this oppor-.
tunity.
Committee Meets Today.
the committee on naval limitations
would meet this afternoon to take
up the suggested notifications. The
committee on far eastern questions
will meet tomorrow.
These announcements were made at
today's session of the conference on
limitation of armament Great Brit
aims position was stated by the
head OF the British delegation. Mr..
Balfour. and Japan's by Baron Kato,
minister OF marine.
Japan went further than the ac-
ceptance Of the principle Of limita-
tion. and declared that Japan never
will contemplate a fleet to equal
either that of the United States or
OF Great Britain. and that her navy
x~ysI L, t. -
action, but for the defense of ma
tfonal safety.
BaIfour Pays Tribute.
Mr.. Balfour. In his polished and fin
ished style of'oratory, paid a tribute
to the American project and charac-
tsrized the opening day of this scon-
ference as "a landmark in human civil
Hzation." He said it added another
anniversary. date marking the be-
fects' OF war and the taking up of
plans which may lessen wars
America. said Mr.. Balfour. has made
idealism practically" in this move
long contemplated by reformers.
Lloyd George, prime minister of
Great Britain, sent a congratuIatory
message. which was read by Mr.. Bal
four, praising the spirit and boldness
of the American suggestion.
Dignity Marks Session.
Today's session of the conference
was marked by greater simplicity. but
with more dignity than even the
first days meeting.
The audience, which was composed
almost entirely Of the official set,
received the expressions Of the dis
tinguished foreign statesmen who
spoke with appropriate applause and
at the conclusion Of especially signifi-
cant declarations arose and stood
while applauding.
Secretary Hughes. who presided.
made reference to the desire for sim
pIicity. of procedure. to be marked
served that he. contributed to the
atmosphere which he wished to sur
round the meeting by not putting
to vote the adoption Of the pro-
gram submitted by the committee.
Accepts Mods a. Approval.
May I ask" he said. "if these
recommendations meet with the as
sent of the conference?" and he
looked about him. Mr.. Balfour. scat
ed on his left, nodded, and Secre-
tary HugheS, aIter a glance dTouuo
the room, encountering other ap-
proving faces, accepted them as
equivalent to a vote.
Mr.. 'Balfour spoke at some length
in English, which was later inter.
preted in the French language. Baron
Kato read in Japanese from a COM
parativc.y brief statement (which was
rendered into English by his inter-
prefer.
Urges Ban On submarines.
The only suggestion of modification
made; by Mr.. Balfour related to sub.
marines. He said he thought the
American plan provided too great
submarine tonnage. He hoped to see
IL reduced and suggested that 1t
might be possible to prohibit the
building Of large submarines designed
for long cruising and aggressive war
fare. Other notifications would be-
proposed by the naval experts, he
added.
Baron Kato intimated that modif-
cations might be asked in the Ameri-
can plan for replacement, and OF
--71.--xf-,,I<t -, Do 4