Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-10
LIMITATION OF MILITARY
AIRCRAFT IMPRACTICABLE


Washington, Jan. s-(By The A. P.)
tary aircraft were trust aside as i'm
practicable today by the naval commit
tee Of the arms conference, the following
resolution being adopted
The committee is of the opinion that
it Is not at present practicable to impose
any effective limitations upon the mem
bers or characteristics OF aircraft, either
commercial or military"
At the same time, agreement was
reached for the creation of a mixed
commission Of experts and jurists to
take up at some future time study of
the rules of warfare in their application
to aerial operations The exact wording
of the resolution to this end. including
the specific mission of the commission
and just how the body was to be con-
stituted, was left to the drafting COM
mittee.
The resolution declaring aircraft linn
itation impracticable at this time follows
closely the Language of the report of the
subcommittee. It was changed how
ever, to eliminate an exception to light
er than aircraft noted by the sub-com-
mittee, the full committee discussion
making it clear that the delegations
were agreed that tn same general argu-
ment because of the wide possibilities
the future may hold for commercial avi-
alton. applied both to airplanes ard dir
igibles.
Another change In the subcommittee
conclusion was the insertion at the sug-
gestion of Arthur u. Balfour, of the
British group, of the words ''at present"
Mr.. Bafour said the time might come
when arms Limitation projects could be
projected Into the field of aviation, more
definite knowledge then being availa-
BILE as toa the practical distinction be-
tween commercial and military flying
ma chimes.
| The subcommittee suggestion that an
other conference BE- called to consider
the rules of war applying to aircraft
was then taken up. Senator Schanzer
Isad italy considered essential that "cer-
ta4 principles "a intkrnationah iw''
! in this connection be "solemnly pro
claimed" by the conference If 1t could &c
no further. He recalled the bombing OF
/ French British and italian cities dur
ing the war which brought death to wo-
men and children and destruction tc
| buildings and works Of art (which were
! the patrimony of the whole of humani-
ty" Admiral De Bon Of France con
! Cured citing Hague conventions as
towns as having been violated. Mr. Roo
pointed out, however. that those conven-
tions were aimed in that respect at lant
| or naval bornbsrdment, not. specifically
nor by implication at aircraft bombing
He added that Paris was fortified anf
that most of the cities of Europe haf
some sort of defense which might b.
hold to p-ake them liable to homba rdmen
BY an enemy, and suggested that ti1
n7mfttae might act to extend the rul
Of international law more clearly and ap
ply it to aircraft.
There were two rules. Mr.. Root said
one that a defended town must not b
bombarded without warning to perri
non -combatantS TO seek safety, and tn
other that undefended towns could no
be bambarded at all The spirit of thes
would prevent aircraft from bombardin
any town whatever.
The rules. Mr.. Root insisted, were in
adequate as they are, and Mr.. Hughes
said the matter of necessity would re
uuire careful consideration. He suggest
ed 4 provision for a future "commissio
of iurists."
I>/Sir Robert Borden said It was obvi
Gus the present conference could ne
give the question adequate considera
ton and Mr.. Balfour agreed, but sue
gested that the future commission in
clude others than turists and that it I
limited specifically to the terms of II
American agerl7a. Collaboration
Of warfare"
. The subject finally was sent 10 Il
: drafting committee with the general az
t herence of all delegations to the pr
posa1 for future conference to work ol
rules of warfare Of this nature.