Evening star., 1921-12-22
ITALY At VARIANCE
WITH GREAT BRITAIN
Against 0utIaWing of Subma-
rines, Differing From Views
of British.

Italy is at variance with Great
Britain III opinion as to advisability
of eliminating or greatly reducing
subma rines. This was indicated at
a conference today between a repre-
to the armament conference and the
press. in which the sentiments Of
Italy regarding a number of other
angles to the conference were infor-
maily discussed.
The spokesman pointed out the
error of reports published to the ef-
feet that Great Britain. in her ei-
forts to have the submarine outlaw ed.
could count on little support from
any one except Italy. italy would
be satisfied with the 10000 tons OF
submarines she now has. II was
stated but realizes that. in view of
Frances indicated intentions. she
probably cannot hold down to that
low figure.
On the other hand. Italy would rot
care to see the submarine outlawed. She
takes the general attitude that sub
marine is no worse or no better than
any other ship: that it all depends on
how the boat is handled. and that a sur
face ship can be just as "atrocious as
an undersea craft.
Italians believe that submarines should
be made to observe the same rules as
other ships and should be held strictly
f.; accountable for deinquencies.
Would Restrict Planes.
Italy believes the Use of airpianeS in
| war should be greatly restricted il was
| indicated. in connection with the fact
that the special subcommittee for aerial
warfare il today discussing the subject
! Cf military. naval and commercial
planes. with particular reference to
preventing commercial planes being
turned into war craft.
There is Il proposal on foot, be
lieved to he sponsored by the United
! States, that in future wars merchant
ships shall be held strictly to In"
| character Of peaceful merchantmen
and that those used as auXiliaries for
naval craft carry distinctive mark
| ines. This is in line with the stand
| the United States took during the
! world war. In this Italy is said 10
concur.
! The Italian delegation. it WAS
! learned. cannot Vouch for the cur
rent statement that France viii ask
/ for 10000 tons of submarines. It. is
, believed certain that Italian proposals
! in this connection will not he brought
up today.
Gas Effects Far-RearhinE.
| American military experts. it has
, been learned. think that the use of
, poison gas is humane in that usually
! II either Kills outright or its victims
recover, Whereas sheli-fire mains
thousands for life. The Italian dele
gatiou appear diSinclined To agree
! with this viewpoint, taking the stand
! tnat The destination of d shell or Il
. bullet is restricted. while the d-struc-
/ tive effects of gas cannot be limited
/ and innoI ent persons and communities
! suffer thereby.
! However. the special committee of
: representatives OF the big five" on
: rules for future warfare. on which
Italy is represe nted has had to suspend
! its activities with the preparation of
resolution that the committee
gather documents and opinions from
all national sources and make recon-
mendations to be studied and acted
on either later in the present confer
/ ence or at some future conference.
: This committee has found il inn
possible to proceed further than this.
t because only Il portion of the nations
to be bound by future rules are rep
resented at this conference.
. Another body. it is learned. the far
eastern committee. while its activities
; have not been suspended, has tenn
! porarily had to abandon conSidera-
! ton of several questions. including
f! extraterritoriality. Il has planned
A., that an international legal expert,
representing each participating pow
, er. including China herself. and also
| the non-participating powers which
] are interested. visit China within the
next three months. consider the ques-
! tion on the spot. and arrive at L de-
, cision. which decision, however, is not
; to be binding.