Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-22
AUXILIARY SHIP
{Continued from Pace One)

(ContInued from rage One)
ing that limitation Of auxiliary craft
was largely question of detail in the
settlement of which the individual de-
sires of the various nations could be
generally accepted. The view was ex-
pressed that the real business Of the
conference had been accomplished i'll
the limita ton of first line ships, sine.
they entail the great bulk OF public
expenditure.
France is to present her estimates
for auxiliary vessels at tomorrow S
meeting of the naval committee, and
although she is expected to ask for
a submarine and cruiser strength GU
of proportion TO the capital ship rattle
fixed for her. no one appears to re-
gard the prospect of adjusting her
claims as a difficult one. 1t is not
understood to be regarded as essen
tial by conference leaders that the
capital ship ratios be applied rigidly
down the line through the varioue
classes Of smaller vessels.
In the Shantung negotiations, too,
the days informal conferences devel-
oped new indications of trend to-
ward agreement. The Japanese, who
are waiting for further instructor MS
from Toxic regarding the terms of
withdrawal from the Tsingtao-Tsin-
anfu railroad, expressed the opinion
that the temporary halt in formal ex-
changes with the Chinese did not con-
stitute a serious deadlock. The Chi
nese. however, seemed to fear that the
discussions had encountered a serious
obstacle.
In the interim between formal meet
ings of the various divisions of the
conference, the delegates of all the
powers continued an animated discus
sion among themselves regarding the
question of Interpretation of TIE new
four-power Pacific treaty. The differ
onve in view revealed yesterday be-
tween President Harding and members
Of the American delega tion relating
to the applica ton of the treaty to the
principal islands of the japanese EN-
pire, furnished the chief topic of per-
sonal conversation.
No further explanation was forth
coming from the White House or from
members of tho American group in
the conference, but it was declared in
state department circles that there
existed no question of the attitude of
the American government. The inter-
probation of the American delegation
it was said, holding that the treaty
does apply to the major japanese is
A1to ~ ',
view.
The treaty's opponents in the Sem
ate took advantage Of the Iull in con-
ference development to launch an
other attack which centered about
Yesterdays White House statement.
Senator Reed, Democrat, of Missouri,
declared in a senate speech that the
difference of view between the Pres
ident and the American plenipoten-
tiafies was new proof that the treaty
had been drafted so as to deceive"
The whole incident, he asserted, be-
trayed a policy of twisting and
turning" cloaked behind a curtain
Of secret diplomacy.
AT tomorrow meeting Of the full
naval committee there may also be n
presentation of Great Britain's plea
for total abolition of the submarine.
At. first the British delegates had
suggested that they lay their case
before the public in a plenary ses-
sion, but it was decided that the more
practical course would be to start the
discussion in executive session. A
statement is now being prepared on
the subject by Lord Lee.
The delegates of Great Britain, al
though apparently not intending to
press their request to the point of
greatly prolonging the conference
have prepared to make a stubborn
fight at least for great reduction
in the submarine strength now under
consideration and have cancelled
their plans for leaving the United
States on December 81. They now
expect to depart about the middle of
January.
The French have not revealed what
submarine tonnage they will request,
but it is known that figures running
der consideration by the delegation.
That would be more than double the
present strength Of the French sub
marine fleet, and so high that there
seems little doubt it would meet with
determined opposition.
A tonnage in submarines of 10000
for Great Britain and the United
States and $4,000 for Japan was sug-
gested in the original American linn
itation plan but there is no evidence
that the American delegates regard
that as an inilexible figure. 1t has
been indicated. however. that the
Americans would feel compelled to
stand out against the BritGh request
for abolition of the submarine alto
gether. American naval experts have
agreed that the submarine when
properly used, is legitimate and
valuable tool of naval warfare anc
a report of the American advisory
committee which has been designated
az the official Sounding board" OF
American public opinion on confer
ence issues also recommends that the
submarine be retained under revised
rules for its use.
The American naval experts are
making an intensive study OF all
questions of auxiliary naval arms as
colored by the national needs OF the
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