Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-30

make his position known be1ore very
,nr, Neither Senator Borah nor
Mr. Tumulty would say whether tne
former presidents purposes were dis
cussed in their talk today.
The debate over submarine regula-
tion today centered about the resolu-
tions presented yesterday by Eiinu
Root of the American Delegation.
General approval of the first of these
resolutions, expressing adherence 10
tho principles of search and seizure,
as already established in information
nj law was expressed by all the pow
ers. and it was predicted that the
question of phraseology would not be
found difficult. There was an effort
during the debate to refer the whole
ssllbiect to a commission of Jurists.
but the Americans and British took a
determined stand for definite action
at the present conference.
A far different situation developed
when the second Root resolution, pro-
posing that submarines be prchlbltea
from attacking commerce in any cir
cumstances, was brought up late 10
the day. Such proposition would IN
volve a change from the present I'M
derstandings of international law and
there was a lively discussio? over
how such a change could be so that 1T
would be accepted by all nations. Mr..
Balfour suggested an amendment to
make the prohibition immemdiately cf-
fective, as between the FIVE powers,
and Mr.. Root acceded. to, the proposal
The meeting then adjourned without
having heard the views of the other
powers.
1t was said tonight that the French
Italians and japanese all would be
unprepared to act finally on the second
resolution until they had further COM
munications with their governments
but there was apparent a tendency
among the Italians to favor, end the
| French to oppose the plan. Some OF
the French delegates seemed to regard
the suggestion as a renewal in another
form of the British request for aboh-
ton of underwater craft altogether
In some quarters it was suggested
that the French might accede ito the
plan, however, on condition that the
conference take positive stand for
| freedom of the seas, a proposal which
did not seem likely to find favo"
| among other delegations. Among the
Italians there appeared to be dispo-
sition to believe that acceptance Of
the proposal might be to Italys bene-
fit because Of the large amount OF
supplies which she must brsg over
easily-severed trade routes in the
| Mediterranean.
For the British, it was declared
tonight that even if the amended
Root resolution was adopted, and
submarines prohibited from attack
ing merchant ships, Great Britain
would continue. to organize her
! trawlers against possible submarine
onslaughts. The British, it was said,
by one of their spokesman, would
not regard such prohibition as
tantamount to abolition if the sub
marine. because they would feel that
| in time of stress an enemy might dis
regard the rules as Germany did in
the World War.
The aircraft sub committee which
practically completed its report to-
day. and may present it to the dele
gates tomorrow. was said tonight to
regard the question of regulating air
warfare as quite as troublesome as
the problem of drafting submarine
restrictions. The report is said to
recommend, however, that some step
in that direction be taken by the
Washington conference. s