Arizona republican., 1921-12-29
FRANCE REFUSES TO BE BOUND BY hiiY AGREEMENT
 I ], LIMIT I SUBS
British and French Dele gates In Plain-Spoken Exchange of Possibilities Of War
TRcpublican A. p. leased HIrel

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2S-Efforts to limit the naval strength of the powers in submarines and auxiliary warships came to an abrupt end to- day after they had drawn the French and British arms conference dele- gates into a plain spoken exchange over the possibilities of future war between France and Great Britain.
 The French, acting under renewed instructions from Paris, told the con- ference committee with an air of fi- nality that France must remain free to build a submarine flotilla nearly three times as great as that she pos sess and to construct in addition, cruisers, destroyers and other auxi- hary craft up to a tonnage of S30.0
 To the proposal, the Americans, Japanese and Italians replied with expressions of surprise and regret, while the British charged that such a building program must be regarded as a menace to British shores. Ar thur J. Balfour added that he had l~ doubt, if occasion arose, Great Brit ain would be equal to it. but only if she reserved complete freedom of ac- ton as to the construction of all types of auxiliaries which might be useful against under water war craft.
 Agreeing that further argument would be useless, the committee turned its attention to collateral sub jects, including regulations for flu ture use of submarines, proposals for limitation of the size and armament of individual auxiliary vessels. and details of the agreement already sealed in principle regarding capital ships.
 For the American delegation Elihu Root proposed a joint declaration re- affirming the obligation of submarine commanders to warn merchant ships before attack, to refrain from sink ing. vessels whose crews and pas sengers could not first be placed in
 safety. and to confirm in general to all the established practices of in-
 teTnational law. Tn addition. Mir.
 Root also suggested in existing usage to prohibit attacks on merchant ves-
 sels altogether and to make subma- rine commanders who violate the regulation, liable 10 trial as pirates Defer Action
 General sympathy, for the purpose of these proposals was expressed by ! the representative of all the powers but definite action was deferred ! Should an agreement be reached. it Is ! to be submitted to all civilized na- 1. tions with an invitation for world wide adherence.
 ] Under further proposal present ed by the American delegation and | given general, but not final approva l by the other plenipotentiaries, nc auxiliary vessel of more than 10000 1 tons could be constructed by any oi | the powers, and no airplane carrier | could have . tonnage of more thar | 27.000 tons. A maximum airplan' | carrier tonnage of S0.O00 for thu United States. S0,O00 for Great Brit
 ain, 4s.000 for Japan, 2S.O00 fol
 France and 2S,000 for Italy, also wa
 suggested by the Americans and vii
 be further discussed tomorrow. I The net result of the days delib
 erations so far as actual progress il concerned, was an agreement that il 1 future no gun of more than 16-incl caliber shall be mounted on a capita ship and none of more than eight (Continued on page 9