New-York tribune., 1921-12-25

Soclated PreSs) THE American pro
posals submitted by Secretary Hughes
as to submarine tonnage at to-day's
meeting of the naval committee of the
Washington conference were given as
follows in the official communique:
"The American delegation was en-
tirely willing to accept, instead OF
10000 tons proposed as the maximum
limit for the United States, 10000
tons, thus scrapping $4,000 tons Of the
existing submarine tonnage, on the
basis that Great Britain should also
accept 10000 tons as the maximum
limit of submarines and scrap 22,464
tons--her present amount of subma-
rine tonnage being 50 ,464 tons, accord
ing to the American figures. Then, in
ton was possible to meet the views en-
tertained by the other delegations, the
chairman suggested that if the United
States and Great Britain each reduced
the maximum limit of their submarine
tonnage to 10000 tons, France, Japan
and Italy should retain the tonnage
they have-in other words, maintain
the status quo as regards submarine
tonnage. He made the suggestion in
order to show that so far as the Amer
lean government was concerned, it was
not in favor of anything that savored
of expansion. This was a conference
on Imitation"
Before submitting the proposals
Chairman Hughes discussed the general
question, saying, according to the COM
munique:
+ "He hoped that the discussion would
lead the five powers present to agree
to denunciation of the illegal metho hods
of submarine warfare in terms clearly
understandable and to bind themselves
to assure the application Of the prin-
ciples of international law in connec-
tlon with submarine warfare and to
consider and debate what could be done
to strengthen the laws governing the
use of this weapon.
Precise Proposals Promised
"The chairman then said that unless
further discussion of the principle of
the abolition of the submarine was de-
sired the committee should consider
It's restriction, numbers, tonnage, etc.
The point of limitation of ar
mament as regards submarines had
been reached. With respect to the point
of proposing and considering the law
in the case, that matter was one where
the precise phraseology must be care
fully considered. With the permission
OF the committee, precise proposals
would later be brought forward by the
American delegation, pending which the
committee was ready to discuss the
subject of the limitation of the ton
mage of submarines and all that per-
tanned thereto
The formal expression of the British
delegation on the question of subma-
rines as submitted for the record by
Arthur j. Balfour follows:
THE British Empire delegation de-
sires formally to place on record its
opinion that the use of submarines
while of small value for defensive pur-
poses, leads inevitably to acts which
are inconsistent with the laws of war
and the dictates of humanity, and the
delegation desires that united action
should be taken by all nations to for
bid their maintenance, construction or
employment"
Mr.. Hughes in discussing the sub
marine question said he was quite
aware that in the United States there
was widespread sentiment against the
submarine, largely due to the feeling
that had been aroused by the abhorrent
uses TO which the submarine had been
put"
Balfour and Sarraut Debate
Much of the morning session, as
shown by the communique, was de-
voted to debate on the submarine be-
| tween Mr.. Balfour, for Great Britain,
and M. Sarraut, for France, which in
part was continuation of the debate
between spokesmen of these two coun-
tries in yesterdays meeting.
M. Sarraut said France desired sub
marines, not for offense, but to defend
her coastlines and her colonial possess
slons. He also asserted that there was
nothing to show that other countries
would conform to decisions reached by
the countries represented at this con-
ference.
What will happen" he asked, "if
these other countries continue to build
submarines either for their own use
Or for some one else? The
countries | have in mind, which are not
represented here, and which, there
fore, preserve their freedom of action
and their submarine forces-what way
have you of persuading them or of
FORCING them to follow our example ?"
You cannot assume here" he added
certain obligations in the matter of
submarines in the name of countries
not taking part in this conference. You
can neither persuade nor coerce them
Hence, in the absence of guar
antics, ! consider that we cannot come
| to a decision"
Mr.. Balfour said the conference had
been given to understand on the very
highest authority that the danger to
France In the future was from the land
slde, and that consequently it was
quite impossible for France to permit
any diminution of land armament.
AS result of this, he added. the
conference found itself confined to
naval disarmament alone. France then ~
he said, proceeded to develop her sea
policy which "embraces the creation Of
vast submarine fleet"
eff the danger to France" Mr.. Bal
four continued, "is of the magnitude
which has been indicated, and if France
(Which heaven forbid) will again in
the future have to call upon her friends
and allies, or late allies, for assistance
IN men and assistance in munitions it
will be, | suppose, because her great
eastern neighbor has not merely re-
vived her army, but has in part re-
vlved her navy. The one is not likely
to take place without the other. Both
are contrary to the Treaty of Yer
sailes.
Every we'll. We must then assume
that there are 60000,000 or 10000, 900
Germans against whom France has to
be prepared, and we must assume that
those 60,000000 or 10000 900 are sup