Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
SUB-DOAT PROBLEM
LIKELY TO GO OVER
TO FUTURE PARLEY
Feeling is Gaining Strength in
Washington That Question
Can't be Settled Now.
FRENCH STICK TO DEMAND

By Associated Press 70 Every Evening
Washington, Dec 27s--susgestions
that the whole submarine problem
be left 10 q future world conference
gained inct easing prominence today
while the delegates 10 the washing
ton armament conference waited for
r plies from France and Japan 20 the
American compromise proposal for
sbmafine limitation.
No delegation was prepared 10 open
~ advocate postponcment o. tho proc
blem and. outwardly. eli delegation
spokesmen held ~ the CUSTOMARY dip-
lcmatic attitude of optimism over ths
prospects for ultimate agreement
Privately. however. more than ons
delegate conceded that tho Freurh arf
japanese opposition to tho comprn-
mise proposal constituted p diseolr.
aging barrier 10 the progress of 80
submarine negotiations
Pending action by tho Ffcnfh cahi-
net ~ its meeting today lhr French
delegates hero remained confident fheir
refusal 10 accept the new hmeriea~
figures would be upheld by their Cove
icnment. The Japanese, FOO, expected
Toxic 10 insist the American plan rar
Unacceptable.
There was no meeting today of tbs
conference naval COMMITTEES and a.
tivities Of the conference were con-
fined to consultations among varion.
groups Of delegates, and % efforts e
j the naval experts 20 clarity the die.
cussion BY laying out a more dennifs
technical basis Of comparison 70 guide,
the pleuipotentisries I'm their fuur,
1 negotiations.
| The divergent methods ~ tynrars
measurement employed by the seversf
nations has led 20 some Confusion in
past discussion and The experts In
ldicated today tlaat a common unf -
comparison would be suggested v.hr,
the naval committee resunfed ifs ses.
sions tomorrow.
The general impression that fh~
question of land armament win nf-
again come bef9re the conf renee rr..
uetsiled consideration wss sfrenrfher q.
ed by the departure OF the Ttaif4,
HiiitaFy staff ana BY announcement
that the British rniiitary experts also
VIII leave on tho last clay u fh,
month. The French land arnaa raars
advisers also are gradually Withdraw 3
ing
Additional weight has been given
{ the ilaforfnsl suggestion fpr = fgfnfs
submarine conference BY the arSs3-
ment advanced IN so11e quarters. that
IN any real solution OF tic opesfin,
OF underwater warfare the eurau !.
nations must be consulted.
It seemed not unlikely today tha.
some conofete plan for q later inter-
national meeting on tic subiccf n1lrrs
be brought forward within a few DAYS.
There arc 10 Indications here fh..+
the French were prepared to cur feof,.
suggested figure Of 10000 tons In ssl. B.
marines for France 10 the 81 600 tor,
hgure under the american plan O.
that the Japauese intended % rccod.,
from their fiat refusal 20 accept the
pla1 and chances that tho outlook fo-.
an agreement would UNDERGO any I'M
lprovement before the meeting fono~-
row appeared slight.
Beth the American and British ars
understood TO feel at tho same finto
that in offering 70 scale down their
snbnarine strength to 10000 tons
each they have made a maximum com
ccssion IN the interest os an azrce-
meuf