The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-24

Italian arms conference delegation
spokesmen express the belief that
Italy can not possibly accept the
American proposal for limitation of
submarine tonnage as outlined at to-
days session of the full naval commit
tee of t conference.
Washington Dec. "a (by the A. P)
An American program for limitation
of submarine tonnage was presented
today to the naval armament COM
mittee of the five powers of the Wash
ington conference.
The American program proposes a
submarine tonnage of 10000 for each
Great Britain and the United States,
and the existing tonnage for Japan,
France and Italy.
The British Proposal.
The American proposal would cut
the existing submarine tonnage of the
United States and Great Britain about
one-third each and leave the other
three powers in their present posi-
ton, that of France approximately
$4,000 tons; Japan. $4,000 tons, and
Italy, about $4,000 tons.
The British proposal for the total
abolishment of submarines was said to
have been placed on file without defi-
mite action, the committee turning to
the discussion of the American limi-
tation plan. 1t will meet again at $3.50
o'clock this afternoon.
French Hold Plans.
Conference delegates had hoped to
conclude at todays session of the full
naval committee their discussion OF
the British proposals of abolition of
the submarine and with decision on
that issue to clear the way 1or con-
sideration of the question of auxiliary
tonnage allotment for France under
the Limitation plan.
while the French delegates were
known today to have received addl-
tfonal instructions from Paris on that
subject they apparently have taken
the position that the abolition pro
DosaI should be carried to decision
before they present for committee ac-
ton detailed figures on the submarine
and other auxiliary tonnage desired
nv France. This viewpoint appears to
have been approved by the other pow
ers.
Three Cornered Debate.
In the long three-cornered debate
in which the submarine discussion
was carried forward in the naval COM
lnittee yesterday, however, Admiral
de Bon of France already has strongly
intimated the position of his country
on the question of auxiliary tonnage
in declaring that 900 tons is the
absolute minimum for all the navies
who may want to have a submarine
force" He expressed the opinion that
the conference could not reasonably
limit submarine construction at all.
For the British group yesterday S
debate was carried on by Arthur j.
Balfour, head of the delegation who
reiterated and extended arguments al
ready advanced by Lord Lee for
adjustment of submarines while SEN
ator Schanzer of Italy, the only other
participant. further stated the oppo-
sition of his country to such action
at this time and said the Italian dele
cation felt the problem should be ex-
amined subsequently in a wider con-
ference.
Harding Asks Agreement.
The unfinished business of the con-
ference shared the attention of dele
gates today with the new prominence
given the four-power treaty discus
sion by President Harding's public
statement late yesterday characteriz-
ing the difference over Interpretation
of the act as "unimportant."
Declaring he would offer no COM
ment on the disputes which attempt
TO magnify the differing cOnstruc-
tion" of the treaty, Mr.. Harding asked
that the lesser questions of difference
be not permitted to obscure the cen
trail purpose of the agreement to pre-
serve peace