Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-01-06
Frances Excessive Demands for
Submarines Block Agree
nnent on That Topic.
MIR. BALFOUR's PLAIN TALK
Use OF SubmerslbIes Against Com
merce May Be Forbidden-Irisa
People Urge Ratification Of
Peace Treaty-Longer Oc-
cupation Of Haiti Con-
sidered Necessary.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD


FRANCES conception Of her needs
= in the way of a defensive navy
and the firmness with which her dele
gates upheld their position brought
about a complete deadlock In the
Washington conference last week and
made it almost certain that no agree
ment will be reached by the present
gathering concerning the reduction
and limitation of submarines and aux
iliary naval tonnage. The other pow
ers participating in the conference
were willing to concede the fairness
of the French position concerning the
reduction of her land armament, but
they feel that In this naval matter
France Is demanding too much.
Albert Sarraut, having received
fresh instructions from Paris, told
the naval committee that France ac-
cepted the allowance of 175,OOO tons
of capital ships, contingent upon per-
mission to begin replacement building
I'm 1927 instead of 1881, but insisted
that she be allowed 10000 tons OF
submersibles and 10000 tons Of aux
fliary ships. The submarine tonnage
ne asked is equal to the maximum
proposed by Mr.. Hughes for Great
Rritain and the United States and
three times what France now has.
Mr.. Balfour, in language as plain
as diplomatic usage permits, retorted
that France could want such a subma-
rine fleet for no other purpose tnan
Illegal use against commerce, that the
nlan was direct threat against
Great Britain, and that In the circum-
stances the British would agree to no
limitation in the building of cruisers,
destroyers and other anti-submarine
vessels. To M. Sarraut's assertion
that British fears of French agrees
sion were baseless since Britain was
allowed q capital ship tonnage greater
than that of France and Italy com
bined. Mr.. Balfour replied that, IN the
avent of war between Great Britain
end France. England, having no large
army. could not strike at the heart OF
France. but France, employing great
ravv Of submarines against commerce,
could DESTROY the Every existence" OF
britain. To tine layman 1t would seem
that Mr.. Balfour had the best or the
debate but M. Sarraut was unyield-
,rg Therefore Mr.. Hughes. deploring
sbe attitude of the french an
rounced with regret that an agree
,,,on+ on the reduction and limitation
of suh,,,a rine and auxiliary tonnage
appeared impossible.
DESfITE this, the naval commit'ee
IL reached other agreements OF
rraat importance which 1t was as
Sumed the conference would confirm
IN its next plenary session. one OF
these limits the caliber or capltai
chin guns to 16 inches. Another was
+ha+ tho use of submarines against
commerce be barred. The latter, III
Tho form of a resolution drafteo py
t,1;bu Root as an established part OF
unconventional law. Is as follows:
~rhe signatory powers, desiring 70
r,a,,e more effective the rules Adopted
hv civilized nations for the protectlon
80 tho lives of neutrals and noncoIn-
hatants at sea in time of war, declare
.hat among those rules the following
are to be deemed an established par'
of international law:
81. A merchant vessel must De OF.
dered to stop for visit and search GO
determine its character before 1t can
be captured. 10 ..
"a merchant vessel must not De as
A.o,-aa unless 1t refuses TO stop Ioi
1sS,t and search after warning.
"A merchant vessel must not De ue'