Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-12-31

The report of the committee on
aviation is understood to have recon-
mended that the conference attempt
no limitation of airplane construction.
since any curtailment would necessarily
affect legitimate progress in aeronautics
for commercial purposes, but to have
voiced decided opinion as to regulation
of airplanes for use during military and
naval operations
Secondary Craft Limitation
The American proposal for the limita-
tion of auxiliary naval craft to max
imum of 10000 tons displacement was
understood to have been virtually
agreed upon at the Friday session OF
the arms conference naval committee
All of the powers delegations ae-
cepted the American proposal except
the French, who, while holding formal
approval in allegiance, said such ap-
proval was expected.
The delegations of all the powers
were understood to have given their
assent to the additional provision of
the American proposal that the guns
of auxiliary craft be limited to eight
inches
Airpiane Carrier Tonnage
An agreement for the limitation of
navl airplane carriers in accordance
with the American proposal was reach
ed Friday by the naval committee.
The agreement would give the United
States and Great Britain 135.O00 tons
of airplane carriers; Japan. $1,000
tons, and 10000 tons each to France
and Italy.
Under the agreement, the maximum
tonnage of any airplane carrier would
H.. L,.l Il 0Nrv
for the United States and Great Brit
ain, three for Japan and two each
for France aud Italy.
The naval committee adjourned on
call. pending advices to the French
delegation as to the 100o0-to ton limit
alton on size of auxiliary craft other
than airplane carriers. tentatively
agreed to earlier in the day. and re-
plies from Toxic and Paris as to the
second Root resolution on submarine
warfare, proposing prohibition of sub
marine attacks on merchant ships by
law.
VIII Polish Sub Declaration
While the naval committee is in re-
cess, the drafting committee Saturday
will consider the detailed language for
the declaratory statement of the rules
of naval warfare and their application
to submarines presented in the first
Root resolution and unanimously ac-
cepted by the delegations in principle.
AT the same time. the committee of
naval experts will work out the COM
plicated details of the replacement
chart for capital ships for all five pow
ers. to complete the capital ships lin
itation agreement.
There are growing indications. too,
that the four power treaty to preserve
peace in the Pacific. which already has
been signed, will be in some way furth-
er clarified before the conference quits
The American delegation is understood
to have withdrawn any objection to the
Japanese proposal that the treaty's
scope be defined as not including the
major Japanese islands, and the plan
for an exchange of clarifying notes or
for amendment of the treaty text is
to take definite form within
few days.
Far East Is DeadIocked
The japanese request for clarifi-
cation of the treaty's terms is said to
have been based largely on the develop
ment of difference in view on the
subject between President Harding and
the American delegation. This develop
ment has been topic of such wide
spread speculation in conference circles
that the president Friday took occasion
to characterize as silly published re-
ports that Secretary Hughes was con-
sidering resignation from the cabinet
as result of differences arising be-
tween him and the White House during
the arms negotiations.
What is TO be done about rhe fa-
eastern problems now becomes the big
question. Japan and China
are deadiocked in their efforts at
settlement Of the Shantung
controversy and, as consequence all
the other far eastern discussions are at
a standstill. II was Indicated Friday
night that meeting of the far eastern
would be held next week at
which China would attempt to transfer
the Shantung negotiations into the full
conference.
When the naval committee met Fri
day. Senator Schanzer said the Root
to ban submarine warfare
SR.aYxk ..l.s