The New York herald., 1921-12-25
BRITAIN ALSO TO CUT
Other Powers Oppose Idea
of Keeping Submersibles
on Present Basis.
BALFOUR IN LAST PLEA
On Record Against Undersea
Craft Before Agreeing to
u. s. Compromise.

WASHINGTON, Dec. "a ASSOCIATED
Press) The American proposals SUBJ
mitted by Secretary Hughes as to SUBJ
marine tonnage at to-day's meeting Of
the naval committee Of the Wash
ington conference were given as fol-
lows in the official communique:
"The American delegation was en-
tirely willing to accept, instead Of
10000 tons proposed as the maximum
limit for the United States, $4,000
tons, thus scrapping $4,000 tons of the
existing submarine tonnage, on the
basis that Great Britain should also
accept $4,000 tons as the maximum
limit of submarines and scrap 22,464
tons-her present amount of subma-
rine tonnage being S2,464 tons, ac-
cording to the American figures
Then in desire to make whatever
accommodation was possible to meet the
views entertained by the other delega-
tions. the chairman suggested that II
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-!n other words,
maintain the status quo as regards SUBJ
marine tonnage. He made the sugges-
ton In order to show that so far as the
American Government was concerned it
was net in favor Of anything that sa-
vored of expansion. This was a con-
ference on Imitation
Hughes Discusses Question,
Before submitting the proposals,
Chairman Hughes discussed the general
question, saying, according to the COM
munique:
He hoped that the discussion would
lead the five Powers present to agree to
a denunciation of the illegal methods of
submarine warfare in terms clearly un-
derstandable and to bind themselves to
assure the application of the principles
Of international law in connection with
submarine warfare 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 consider it's re-
strictions. numbers. tonnage, &c. :.
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 consid-
cred. With the permission of the COM
mittee, precise proposals would later be
brought forward by the American dele
cation. pending which the committee
was ready to discuss the subject OF the
limitation of the tonnage of submarines
and all that pertained thereto"
The formal expression of the British
delegation on the question of subma-
rines, as submitted for the record by
Arthur ]. Balfour follows:
THE British Empire delegation desires
formally to place on record its opinion
that the use of submarines. while of
small value for defensive purposes,
leads inevitably to acts which are in
consistent with the laws OF war and
the dictates Of humanity. and the dele
cation desires that united action should
be taken by all nations to forbid their
maintenance, construction or employ
ment."
Mr.. Hughes in discussing the sub
marine question said he was quite aware
that in the United States there was
widespread sentiment against the sub
marine. largely due to the feeling that
had been aroused by the abhorrent uses
to which the submarine had been put"
Much of the morning session, as
shown by the communique, was devoted
to debate on the submarine by Mr.. Bal
four. for Great Britain. and NJ. Sarraut
for France. which in part was contin-
uation of the debate between spokesmen
of these two countries in yesterdays
meeting.
NJ. Sarraut said France desired SUBJ
marines not for offense but to defend her
coastlines and her colonial possessions.
He also asserted that there was nothing
to show that other countries would con-
rorm to decisions reached by the coun-
tries represented at this conference.
What will happen" he asked "if
these other countries continue to build
submarines either for their own use or
for some one else? The coun-
tries have in mind, which are not rep
resented here. and which therefore pre-
serve their freedom of action and their
submarine forces--what way have you
OF persuadng them or Of forcing them to
follow our example?
cites Absence of Guarantees.
you cannot assume here" he added.
certain obligations In the matter of
submarines i'm the name of countries
not taking part in this conference. You
can neither persuade nor force them.
Hence, in the absence of guar
antics, consider that we cannot come
to a decision. We have como TO an
agreement on the reduction of offensive
naval armaments. But the question of
means OF defense must be left to the
consideration Of the countries inter-
ested
'r readily understand that a meeting
OF the general conference might be sug-
gested In which would be represented
all the countries Interested in the ques-
tlon Of submarines. In this conference
might be determined the rules applying
to more humane use Of submarines ;
the question of the principle of the re-
tention or abolition of the use of sub
marines could be raised. Then all the ma
tions Interested In the question might
express their opinion and really effec-
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