Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-12-29
US. DELEGATES
PIN HOPES ON
new PROPOSALS
Limitation OF Tonnage Of Air-
plane Carriers Now Prob
lem Tackled

WASHINGTON, Dec. ~. by
Associated Press.) - Its horizon be-
clouded by many elements of uncef-
tainty, the arms conference today
entered phase of negotiations whisss
will determine whether it is to be
successful in imposing limitations on
any class of wareraft except capital
ships.
The immediate proposal before the
naval committee when it resumed
session was the American plan to
limit the tonnage of airplane carriers
to be maintained by the future ria-
vies of the powers. 1t is on this
proposition and proposals to restrict
the use of submarines and the size
of individual warships of the auxil-
iary classes that the American dele-
cation now pins its hope of amplify-
ing the capital ship agreement, al
ready reached, but to which France
yesterday attached reservation as to
requirements.
Efforts to limit the naval strength
of the powers in submarines ana
auxiliary warships came to an abrupt
end yesterday after they had drawn
the French and British rms confer
ence delegates into plain-spoken
exchange over the possibilities of a
future war between France and the
British empire.
The French, acting under renewed
instructions from their government,
told the conference naval COMMITTEES
with an air of nality that France
must remain free to build a subma-
rine flotilla nearly three times as
great as that she now possesses ana
to construct, in addition, cruisers,
destroyers and other. auxiliary craft
up to a tonnage of so, ,009
To the proposal the Ataerieafs,
japanese and Itahalt replied with
expression Of sUrFrise and fegref.
while the British charged openly that
such a building program must be re-
garded as menace 10 British
shores. Arthur j. Balfour added that
he had no doubt, if occasion arose,
Great Britain would be equal to it,
but only if she received complete
freedom of action as TO the construc-
tion OF all types of auxiliaries which
might be useful against underwater
warfare.
Agreeing that further argument
would be useless, the committee turn
ed its attention to collateral sub
jects, including regulations for fu-
ture use Of submarines, proposals Tor
limitation of the size and armament
of individual auxiliary vessels, ana
details of the agreement already seal
ed in principle regarding capital
ships.
For the American delegation.
Elihu Root proposed joint declara-
ton reaffirming the obligation Of
submarine commanders TO warn
merchant ships before attack to re-
frain from sinking vessels whose
crews and passengers could not first
be placed in safety, and to confirm
M general to all the established prac-
tees of international law.
In addition Mr.. Rott also suggest
de change of existing usage to pro-
niblt attacks on merchant vessels AZ
together and to make submarine
commanders who violate the regula-
ton liable to trial as pirates.
General sympathy for the purposes
OF these proposals was expressed by
the representatives of all powers. but
definite action was deferred. Should
an agreement be reached, it is to be
submitted to all civilized nations
with an invitation for world wide
adherence.