Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-05
EXPERTS COMPLETE
NAVAL REPORT FOR
ARMS CONF FERENCE
Chinese Tariff on Five Per
Cent Basis Agreed On
New Far Eastern Charge
Denied by Japanese

Associated Press. practical compile
ton of the report to be submltteo
by the committee of naval experts
to the naval committee Of the arma-
ment conference and agreement OF
the subcommittee on Chinese tariff
on 5 per cent effective basis were
two important developments To-Day
in the conference situation.
The naval committee may be calA-
ed to meet this afternoon or tomor-
row, it was said, to receive the re-
port of the experts which will EN-
body precise definition of the ie-
placement schedules as well as the
exact method of scrapping ships
which are to be eliminated from the
navies of the signatory powers.
While the rate agreed upon by the
subcommittee on Chinese tariff is the
same as that provided in existing
treaties, the fixing of 5 per cent as
the effective" rate is expected to re-
suit in a clear increase Of approx
mately l IL per cent to the Chinese
government, adverse exchange hav-
ing reduced the existing tariff to
about 3 IL per cent:
An important feature Of the naval
experts report will be a statement
of unifor mrule for calculation or
naval tonnage The absence Of such
rule has led to difficulty in the
consideration of many features of
the limitation plan.
Replacement Chart
Acceptance of the experts report
by that full committee would put
these matters in condition to be in
corporated in treat yor agreement
form. and for ratification at u
plenary session.
The most important accomplish
ment of the experts in the opinion
of arms delegates was the compile
ton of the Replacement chart" pre-
cisely defining when each ship or
elias sof ships may be regarded as
obsolete and subject to replacement,
the dates upon which the new keels
may be laid. the dates of commission
| and other such details.
While positively stated, it was
understood N British circles that the
French e perts had decided to ac-
cept the Imitation of ten thousand
tons as the maximum size of auxil-
larry naval ships excepting aircraft
carriers.
In addition to THE five per cent ef-
fectiV, rate, the subcommittee on
tariff has provided for sending an
international commission to study
the whole subject of Chinese tariff,
taxes and other factors with the pur-
pose of arranging for further in
crease Of the Chinese tariff duties
to z IL per cent, effective at a date
to be determined.
The original American proposition
to raise TIE duties to II 1-2 per cent
has been abandoned, pending the con-
cluslon of the inquiry to be conduct.
ed by the international commission.
An important step toward agree.
ment on American proposals to pro-
hibit use of submarines against ner-
chant vessels was seen today in the
proposals acceptance in principle by
the French delegation subject to a :,
discussion of the precise language of
the declaration.
Although acceptances still are
awaited from the governments of It.
ally and Japan, there were indications
that neither of these powers would
interpose serious objection if the pro-
posal received full approval of
France, and it was believed the del
egations possibly would be prepared
to resume discussion of the matter
today at a meeting of the full naval
committee Of the conference.
The exact nature Of the reserya.
tons attached to the French accept.
ances, as communicated to Secretary
Hughes by Ambassador Jusserand
late yesterday. had not been re-
vealed, but it was believed they
might concern stipulations to govern
the conduct Of merchantmen under
immunity from submarine attack,
such as whether they are to be per-
mitted to arm or run down submersi. (
bles, and whether it is to be permits.
sible to disguise warships as com.
mercial craft. That phase of the
question, if raised, probably would de-
Velop other ramifications and might
result in an interesting and many
sided discussion.
ne FI0IlCH acceptance III Dr1ncl-
pie also embraces the Balfcur amend
ment under which the banning of sub
marine operations against merchant
men would become effective immedi-
ately as between the five powers and
the additional Root declaration de-
filming as an act Of piracy the viola
ton by submarine commander oe
the rules of international law.
Hopes for an early wind-up of the
Far Eastern negotiations when they
are resumed, probably next week,
also appeared to have Uecn strength
ened today by developments in con.
nection with the Shantung issue.
Definite results were expected in
many quarters from the action OF
the Chinese delegates in personally
approaching Secretary Hughes and
Arthur J Balfour, respective heads
Of the American and British delega-
tons, in move to break their dead
lock with the Japanese on the Shan
tung question and secure more di-
rect employment of the proffered
good Offices of those officials.
New Treaty" Denounced
Another repudiated document had
been added today to the list of those
MADE public by the special delegation
here from the far eastern republic
as relating TO Japanese and French
policy in Siberia. Copies Of an al
legged treaty between the. Japanese
army in Siberia and Russian t,tEi-
GERS connected with Ataman Semi
noff, the anti-bolshevik leader,
whereby the Japanese agreed to sup
port with arms and money an offe-.-
sive against the army of the Far
Eastern republic, were published bv
the delegation yesterday and were at
once denounced by Admiral Baron
Kato, senior Japanese delegate as