Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-04
FRANCE AGREES
TO PRINCIPLE
OF PROGRAM
Feared Paris Delegation
May Raise Technical OBJ
jections to Root Plan
CHINA IMPATIENT
Want Shantung Matter Settled.
S. May Question Japan's Failure 10
Quit Siberia.

Washington, Jan. 3.-Resumptlon
of business by the Conference was
brought in sight tonight, when NJ. Al
bert Sarraut stated that the Fre'ich
delegation has received favorable m
structiens from Paris regarding the
Root submarine rules. Their final ac-
ceptance, however, depends on the
precise wording Of the declarations
prohibiting attacks on merchant YES
sells and making such acts piracy
This it is believed, presages early,
decisions on the naval matters stiil
open and hastens the hour when the
important Far Eastern questions Will
be taken up. Every indication IS tnat
the probably short discussion that Will
be given the Eastern questions VIII
have enlivening features.
The Chinese manifested today fur
ther impatience over the Shantung de-
Law and from the American delegation
came expressions regarding Siberian
item on the ageenda which seemed to
forecast plain speech with japan.
These expressions had nothing to do
with the Chita Incidents Of the last
few days. They dealt with the failure
of Japan to withdraw her troops from
Siberia.
How far the French acceptance "in
principle" of the Root resolutions will
20 was not revealed tonight. 1t is
feared by those favoring the resolu-
tions that the French will raise tech
nicai questions that may defeat af-
.firmative action in this Conference.
There are, signs Of another divergence
between the French and the British,
due to the technical questions.
The British, it is reported, in carry
ing out their purpose to maintain un-
limited anti-submarine craft, announc-
ed during the debates on the proposal
to abolish the submarine and the later
proposal to limit submarine tonnage,
are planning to put six-inch or eight
inch guns on some of their big and
fast merchant ships. 1t is expected
they will make these plans known
when the relation of the merchant
marine to the navies is taken up.
The British position, as has been
stated before. is that while the Root
submarine rules should be adopted and
made as strong as possible and while
there is much reason to hope that
they will prevent such horrors as were
perpetrated by the Germans in the
World War, Great Britain will not de-
pend upon rules for protection. She
will do her best to make them effec
tive, but at the same time she will pre-
pare herself against the possibility
that should another war come they
will not be effective.
1t is stated the French may ask
that the status of liners armed with
six-inch or eight-inch guns be deter
mined-whether they are merchant
men or cruisers. If they are to be
regarded as merchantmen would be
safe from attack under the Root rules:
if not merchantmen they would be
legitimate prey for the submarines.
The French, also may ask that regula-
tions be framed for the protection of
open ports against bombardment.
Whether receipt Of the French in
structions will cause Mr.. Hughes to
summon meeting of the Naval Com
mittee tomorrow is not known. AM
bassador Jusserand advised him this
afternoon that the instructions had
been received. When the Root rules
last were discussd the Italians and
japanese also asked for time to COM
municate with their governments, and
Mr.. Hughes, of course, will wait until
they are ready to proceed