New-York tribune., 1921-12-29
sarding the limitation of naval arna-

sarding the limitation Of naval arma-
mcnts.'
aOn page 4, after word world in
third line from bottom OF first para.
graph, add following; We should
therefore have the melancholy spec
tacle of a conference called tor the
limitation of ornaments resulting IN q
vast Increase in the very weapon when
the most civilized elements IN all civil
lied countries condemned"
The proposal that the use OF the
should be outlawed, made by the
Americaa delegation in the hope OF
smoothing away some of the bitterness
between the British and the French,
and of gaining step in the fight to
limit ornaments, was readily accepted
by the representatives of all the five
powers, though no definite action was
<aken.
Several other important proposals
were rss.us. by the American delegation
after it had been seen that no agree
ment could be reached either on the
limitation of submarine tonnage or
auxiliary tonnage. Practically all met
with approval, though final action was
reserved.
One OF the most important of these
was the limitation of size of all auxil-
sary craft, except airplane carriers, to
10000 tons each, and limitation of the
size OF the guns they should carry to
s inches. The only exception noted TO
this, and it was said not to be vigorous,
was made by the French through Admi-
raj de Bon, who said that he saw no
reason why there should be limit
on the size of auxiliary ships if the
strength of their armament was de-
fined. The impression tonight was that
the French would not push this objec-
ton.
Airplane Carriers, 27.000 Tons
1t was agreed informally also that
the size of airplane carriers should be
they should not carry guns heavier
than eight inches. The British made
q suggestion, which also met with gen
eral approval, that no ship should be
equipped with guns in excess of is
inches.
With regard to the proposed drastic
rules governing the use of submarines
as outlined by Mr.. Root, which would
not only restate the understanding of
international law with regard to visit
and search and make denial that neces-
sity should ever excuse such atrocities
as shocked the world when perpetrated
by Germany, but should go further and
OUTLAW the use of submarines against
merchant ships, the British are frankly
very skeptical.
1--WE do not oppose them" said one
Of their spokesmen tonight. ain fact,
we think they would probably do good.
But we would place no reliance in them.
We think that grim necessity sooner
or later. in the very first war fought,
would result in the nation which found
itself with its back to the wall break
ing every rule the breaking of which
that nation thought would help. SO I
would certainly advise my government
TO go ahead with the preparation Of
anti submarine machinery, just as
though the rules had not been adopted"
Will Await French Action
Incidentally, the British made it clear
that they do not propose to rush into
q crusade of building anti-submarine
craft .until the French begin the actual
construction of the submarines. The
British will follow suit "if and when"
the French start. AS with the case of
some other delegations, the British
think the French are playing politics
of two brands with the conference
European and domestic.
Also. the view is taken by every
the conference, despite the effective
wreckimg of an agreement on subma-
rines or auxiliary craft by the French,
are momeutous.
II regard it as the biggest thing
that has ever been done in the history
Of the world so far as the mutual linn
iting of armament and a resultant
building toward peace is concerned" :"
said aFspokesman for the British dele
gation.
The British will present their case
on the submarine to the world at
public session of the conference, and,
Judging from indications tonight, the
French will be held up before the
world as responsible for the fact that
the Conference for the Limitation of
Armament was only partial instead
Of complete success. At to-day's
meeting the Italian and Japanese
Joined the British and American
spokesmen in deploring the refusal of
the French to permit an agreement on
submarine and auxiliary tonnage, so
that France stood alone, nearly ap-
proaching the isolation mentioned By
Premier BRAND in his address to the
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