Evening star., 1921-12-25

the strength of Mr Balfours argu-
ments in the light of the experience
OF, the late war.
What could be done? 1t had been
which were not represented here.
The powers participating in the con-
ference on the limitation of arma-
ment were bound not to use that
conference to impinge upon the full
liberty Of discussion of those desir-
to their defense. moral Offensive
If he might be permitted to use that
term-should not be conducted against
them. He felt in honor bound by
what had been communicated to him
by other powers not represented on
the committee that nothing should
be done which would compromise
their position on a question which
they believed related to their secur-
ity. or which might prevent them
from taking the measures they
thought necessary for their defense.
A discussion, however. which tended
to bring out the truth would be as
helpful to those who were not pres
ent as to those who were repre-
sented.
Restriction the Next Topic.
He hoped that the discussion would
lead the five powers present to agree
to a denunciation Of the illegal meth
clearly understandable and to bind
themselves to assure the application
of the principles of International law
In connection with submarine war
fare and to consider and debate what
could be done to strengthen the laws
governing the use of this weapon.
The chairman then said that, unless
further discussion of the principle of
the abolition Of the submarine was
desired. the committee should con-
slider its restriction. numbers. ton
mage. etc. He believed that those who
essential should frankly tell the COM
mittee how far they were prepared
to go. what their minimum require
nentS were and how far they were
prepared to accept reduction or re-
striction. The point Of limitation of
armament as regards submarines had
been reached. With respect to the
point of proposing and considering
the law in the case. that matter was
one where the precise phraSeology
must be carefully considered. With
the permission Of the committee, pre-
else proposals would later be brought
forward by the American delegation.
pending which the committee was
ready to discuss the subject of the
Limitation of the tonnage of subma-
rines and all that pertained thereto.
He would, therefore. ask the dele
gates to express themselves on that
point.
MIR. Balfour Gives Views.
Mr. Balfour then said:
will you allow me to express on
behalf not only Of myself, but of my
colleagues on the British empire dele
CATION, our thanks for the speech
which you have just delivered. We
think that 1t Is the happiest augury
for the future. We regard your ut.
terance as a great step forward. and
we do not doubt that 1t will find an
echo in all parts of the civilized
woll Id and will greatly promote the
cause we have so much at heart You
have indicated that 1t will be for the
general convenience that this stage OF
our discussion should now be brought
to an end. and certainly believe that
to be right. Will you permit me 70
have placed formally upon our records
the views, very briefly expressed, OF
the British empire delegation, which
will take this shape:
The British empire delegation de-
sires formally to place on record its
opinion that the USE of submarines,
whilst of small value for defensive
purposes, leads inevitably to acts
which are inconsistent with the laws
Of war and the dictates of humanity.
and the delegation desires that united
action should be taken by all nations
to forbid their maintenance, construc-
tion or employment.
The chairman assumed that there
was entire agreement that the state
ment just read by Mr.. Balfour should
be placed on the record and that, as
the views of all the delegations had
| been heard with regard to the aboli-
| ton of submarines. the committee
might proceed to the discussion of
the Limitation of submarine tonnage.
American Proposal Questioned.
In the course of the discussion il
had been remarked that. as far as
submarines were concerned. 6e
American proposal was hardly limi-
| tation. The American delegation
thought that, so far as American SUD-
marine tonnage was concerned, the
remark in question had been &ased
on a misapprehension and that there
had been a reduction-from $4,000
| tons to 10000 tons--slight, to be
sure, but still a reduction.
He desired, however, to make this
suggestion. 1t was impossible to
hear all the arguments regarding SUBJ
marines without forming an impress
sion of the views entertained by the
delega tions on this matter. The
American delegation was entirely will
| ing to accept, instead of 10000 tons
proposed as the maximum limit for
the United States, $4,000 tons, thus
submarine tonnage, on the basis that
Great Britain should also accept 10000
tons as her maximum limit of SUBJ
marines and scrap 22,464 tons-her
peresent amount of submarine tonnage
being 82,464 tons. according to the
American figures. Then, in a desire to
| make whatever accommodation was
possible to meet the views entertained
by the other delegations, the chair
man suggested that if the United
States and Great Britain each reduced
| the maximum limit of their submarine
| tonnage to 10000 tons. France, Japan
! and Italy should retain the tonnage
/ they have-in other words, maintain
| the status quo as regards submarine
tonnage. He made the suggestion in
order to show that SO far as the
American government was concerned.
| 1t was not in favor of anything that
savored of expansion. This was a
| conference on limitation.
In reply to an inquiry by Lord Lee,
the chairman said that he understood
that the present submarine tonnage of
Japan was 31.452 tons; that of France,
! according to the figures given the other
! day, was 1891 tons and that of Italy
| somewhat less, about $1,000 tons.
! The, meeting then adjourned until
$3.50 Pm, December "a, 1921.
Fifth Joint Meeting.
| The fifth joint meeting Of the COM
mittee on limitation of armament and
the subcommittee on naval limita-
tion was held in the Pan-American
Building this afternoon. December "a.
1921, at $3.50 o'clock. The discussion
! concerning the limitation of eubma-
rine tonnage was continued, and Mr.
| Balfour accepted. on behalf of the
British empire. the American proposal
t1Ay tnvp,o wiz
| for the American and British navies
L oh ha 60 laa tons