Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-06
WOMEN OPPOSE
WAR CHEMICALS
AND SUBMARINES
Want Conference to Adopt
Three Policies Relative
to Warfare.
Special TO Indiana Daily Times
and Philsdelnhia PUBLIC Iedger.
BY CONSTANCE DREAEL

BK NONSIaNAE OAAA~-AA<A@-
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6-That poison
gas and new weapons of warfare should
lie outlawed by the Washington confer
ence is the contention raised by many
women, especially through the women:
committee for world disarmament.
Thu contention was voiced by Miss
Emma Void, chairman, TO Secretary
Hughes in an interview Nov. 81. At that
time she submitted the opinion, that ac
ton toward the total abandonment OF
submarine ard chemical warfare is con
hdently looked for by the American pub
lie, saving that such action would hearteT
the Nation"
Now the same committee, through IL
affiliations in all parts Of the country
and through the National Council fol
the Limitation Of Armaments, OF which
1t is q member organization, is stirred tc
renewed activity by the news that th'
organized chemical industry and th'
chemical warfare department Of tbs
United States Government are striving
10 win the four women advisory delegates
to their opinion that poison gases anc
such must be manufactured and kept II
preparation as preparedness for war.
In view Of the fact that those and
other new weapons OF warfare is one
OF the subjects on the agenda OF the pres
ent conference on which no policy has
vet been stated, much speculation and
discussion is going on, not only among
women watching the conference but II
army and navy circles.
There are three policies which the con-
ference might adopt, as follows.
1. Adjustment of poison gases,
aerial bombs and other Wholesale
means of destruction rs far as hu-
manly possible through international
agreement.
2. Attempted control Of the yet
unmeasured powers of chemical
science by rules such as only for
noncombatants, only for defensive
war, etc.
9. No international control, allow
ing each country TO manufacture and
control its own.
The women are contending for the first
policy, aften including submarines in
what should be outlawed. For instance
kilograms were received today by the
President, Secretary Hughes and other
conferees from the New York council TOT
limitation Of armament, made up OF rep
resentatives Of State and city women
organizations such as the American Uni
vsrsity Women, the New York League
Of Women Voters, the y. W. c a, etc
They asked for the elimination Of the
submarine and control Of poisonous
gases by International agreement.
On the other hand, one hears every
where in Washington Of former big
Army and Navy advocates now switching
over 10 Preparedness in chemical war
fare" as a cheaper and quicker means
Of killing human beings and the cities
they have built. t-
Which side viii win no one knows. The
four women advisory delegates are silent
II is generally conceded here IN Wash
tngton that the conference will go just
as far, certainly no farther, than public
opinion makes IT go. Therefore, express
sions from groups Of people are welcome,
even though they would seem to press the
conference 10 greater action If. rendered
IN a helpful spirit. Such an expression
is bound TO come on Dec. s, when repre-
sentatives OF the thirty-fve organizations
making up the national council for the
limitation OF ornaments have been called
to a meeting at the house they occupy at
the seat Of the conference.
Another expression Of opinion is
awaited from the group headed by Miss
Jane Adams, president Of the Inter
national -Women's League for Peace and
Freedom. The district of Columbia
branch Is planning q mass meeting for
Dec. II, at which Miss Addams viii speak.
With considerable influence in many Of
the capitals Of Europe, her address is
awaited with keenest interest.-Copy-
right, 1927, by Public Ledger Company.