Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-03
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atoms were at such a stage tonight
that all the loose ends OF the settle-
| ment probably could ps cleared away
within few days. II questions OF
policy raised by the submarine reg
| ulation proposals can be settled in
time, the conference leaders believe
| the five power treaty for naval iimi-
tation can be put into definite form
during the present week.
| Tomorrow the naval experts will
continue their work. and the sub
committee appointed to formulate a
new tariff program for China also
will hold a meeting. Various other
naval and Fa rEastern questions will
occupy the attention of the other
delegations In informal conferences. .
The question of proposed restric-
| tons on submarine warfare Ia regard
ed by all the delegations as the most
| troublesome OF the naval problems re-
naming unsolvcd. The first OF the
Root submarine resolutions. reaffirm-
Ing adherence to the existing princi-
/ Piles of international law, has already
been accepted by the five powers: but
the second and third. proposing stilf
more stringent restrictions on the use
of underwater craft, are leading to
much controversy.
Under the second resolution the Ave
powers would join I'm an agreement
that In any future war among them
submarines would not be used in any
circumstances as commerce Destroy
ers. The United States and Great Bril-
tain alone have acceded to this propo-
sition. Japan and Italy have adopted
non-committal attitude toward II.
and the French have shown some in.
clination at least to propose modifica-
lions before they can favor adoption.
AS the resolution first was present.
cd by Elihu Root ofthe American del.
egation 1t merely would have propos.
ed that the prohibition against subma-
rine attacks on merchant shipping be
suggested by the powers as a modin-
cation OF international law which all
nations would have to accept before
II became effective. At the instance
or Arthur j. Balfour of the British
group. however. a provisions was in
serted making the prohibition imme.
date as between the United States. 7
Great Britain. France and Italy. In
It's original form the French Indicated
the proposal would be accep,abIe 10
their government. but they said to- !
night that they had received no I'm.
structfons from Paris regarding the
resolution as amended.
The delay is taken as STRENGTHENING
the possibility that France may hive
qualifications or further changes TO
suggest before she gives assent.
among some Of the French there Is n
Keeling that merchant ships should not
be permitted to arm IL they are to be
free from submarine attack. In other
quarters 1t is proposed that some re-
strictfons should also be placed upon
the Disgusting of war vessels 10 make
them look like innocent merchantmen.
The third Root resolution, also
pigeon-holed while the foreign dele
cations wait for instructions, would
make subject to trial as a pirate any
submarine commander who Iiovates In
ternationaf law. Acceptance Of this
proposal Is regarded as Ringing to
some degree on the final action take,
regarding the second resolution. but
" ls hoped that both may be disposed
OF before the end of the week so that
the substance OF the decisions reached
can be embodied In teh naval hmlta-
ton treaty.
with the naval settlement in final
FORM, there seems to be general conf
dence that the Far Eastern slate can
De wiped clean in time To permit ad-
Journrnent of the conference by about
the middle Of January. The Shantung
deadlock remains the greatest barrier
TO a Far Eastern accord. butthe Jan
anese expressed renewed hope of a
settlement tonight and the Chinese
heid to their refusal to rgard the
present impasse as . final failure 10
agree.