The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-30
U.S.AUXILIARY
CRAFT FIGURE
AGREED UPON
Acceptance of American Pro-
posal for Limitation to
Maximum of 10000 Tons
Virtually Settled.
FRENCH ARE INDIGNANT
CBv Associated Press,


WASHINGTON, Dec. 30-The Amer
lean proposal for the limitation of aux
iliary naval craft of a maximum of
10000 tons displacement was under
stood TO have been virtually agreed
upon at the morning session today of
the arms conference naval committee.
All of the powers delegations ac-
cepted the American proposals, except
the French who while holding formal
approval in abeyance said such ap-
proval was expected.
The delegations from all Of the pow
ers, however, were understood to have
given their assent to the additional
provision TO the American proposal
that the guns of auxiliary craft be
limited to eight inches.
Albert Sarraut, head of the French
arms conference delegation at the
meeting today of the committee de-
clared in substance that France was
beginning TO be regarded with suspic-
| ion by the other powers represented
in the Washington meeting and that
this could not go on.
Await Decision
Decision on the American proposal
to outlaw entirely the use of sub
marines against merchant craft was
awaited today from three of the five
powers-France, Italy and Japan.
! Formal approval of this proposal
was given by Great Britain yesterday
during its brief consideration which
! followed agreement in principle by all
| the powers to the first article of the
Root resolutions reaffirming existing
rules of naval warfare and their strict
/ application to submarine operations
against merchant craft.
The proposal to prohibit submarine
operations against merchant vessels
went over for further committee dis
cusSion today with a proposed amend
ment by the British delegates where-
/ by the five powers would agree finally
+: between themselves to such prohibit
ton without awaiting world assent to
such a proposal The amendment was
offered after the suggestion had been
accepted by Mr.. Root as author of the
resolutions. and the discussion ended
for the day at that point without any
expression on the second proposal by
delegates of the other powers.
First Proposal
AS adopted in substance by the ma
| val committee and sent TO the sub
committee for final drafting, the first
Root proposal sets out anew the rules
of visit and search belligerent craft
must observe in operating against
commercial vessels, and couples with
this the declaration that submarines
must be governed by these rules.
The resolution was TO be valued,
Secretary Hughes declared during its
discussion, as reminder to any OF
the signatory nations between whom
future differences might arise that
the weapons which they possessed
were not, as in the past, to be used
without reference to the laws of God
and man.
Bafour Reserves Passage
Again Arthur J. Balfour head of the
British delegation to the arms confer
ence, has reserved passage on steam
er sailing for England, Jan. IA. 1t was
stated by a British spokesman today
however, that this was only tentative
booking and there was no idea that
Mr.. Balfour would leave the confer
ence until it had completed its work
t The British military contingent head
= ed by Lieutenant General the Earl OF
l Cavan, planned TO sail from New York
? on the Olympic for home.
a Elihu Root, of the American arrna
: ment delegation, was an early visitor
= at the White House today and was
closeted with President Harding fol
S nearly two hours The regular cab
i met meeting was delayed for a Tins
+ by the extended conference which Mr.
4 Root later asserted dealt chiefly witt
e the present situation of New England
{ railroads