Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-06
U. S., England, France, jap
an and Italy Approve Two
of Root Resolutions
FAR EAST ISSUES
Committee Acts on Resolutions for
Chinese Tariff and Withdrawal of
Foreign Troops From Territory.

Washington Jan. 6.-TEe Root sub
marine rules to reState the interna-
tionai law prevailing before the
I World War and to add a prohibition
against any submarine attack on
merchant ships were unanimously
adopted today in the Naval Commit
tee of the Arms Limitation Confer
ence The remaining rule proposed
by MIR. Root, to punish violations as
acts of piracy, will be considered to-
morrow and almost certainly adopted.
With this submarine question out
of the way completion Of the practi
cal naval work of the Conference is
matter of hours. Agreement on
tonnage limits per ship Of the auxil-
iaries will be adjusted without diff
Guilty, probably at 10000 tons, and
the British indicated last night that
no serious trouble will be given by
them in framing the regulations af-
fecting the relation of merchant ma
rincS to navieS.
The somewhat exciting report cur
rent last night, that the naval treaty
will have far reaching provisions for
consultation in case Of threat Of war
was toned down today. American
delegates denied that any such thing
is contemplated, and the British
statesman whose words caused the
report explained that he had no idea
the United States would enter any
sort of alliance.
Swift progress also was made to-
day toward the finish of the Con-
ference's work in Far Eastern at
fairs. These definite steps were taken
today in this field:
Adoption of the Underwood sub
committees report increasing the
Chinese customs tariff to an effec-
tive 5 per cent. with provisions
for further increases and for con-
ference at Shanghai TO frame
changes in the customs treaties.
Adoption of committee report
providing for meeting of representa-
tivcs of the nations in this Confer
ence. other than those of China, with
committee of three representing
China to investigate the presence Of
foreign troops in China without
treaty sanction, as a step toward u!-
innate withdrawal.
Adoption Of recommendation to
China from the Underwood sub-com-
mttce that she take action to put
an end to the large armies maintain
cd by provincial governors--thls as
means of lcSscnng the drain on her
financial resources, and of promoting
stable government.
Understanding that the u demands
will not he considered as such, but
only as they may be related to other
questions. This understanding fol-
lowed failure today of the Far East
crn committee to take up the 81 de-
mandS as the Chinese desired.
In what may be regarded as the
outside problem of the Conference,
the Shantung issue. this much prog
rcss was made: The Chinese made
a definite offer to the Japanese to
Day cash for the one half interest in
the railroad claimed by the latter.
and attached to that offer notice
that unless it is accepted tomorrow
a proposal will he made that the
good offices of Mr.. Hughes and Mr..
Balfour be sought.
This means. it is probable. that
something final will be done about
Shantung, at least so far as this
Conference, within few days. It
may be- a settlement satisfactory to
the Chinese: it may be confession
of failure all down the line; it may
the announcement that the matter is
out of the hands of the people in
Washington, and in the hands of
those in Toxic and Peking. Mean
while. the mystery as to the Japa-
ncSe game continues.