The New York herald., 1922-01-06
WORKING ON FINAL
DRAFT OF SEA TREATY
Future Conferences to Pro-
Uidc for Changes.

WASHINGTON, Jan. (Associated
Press) With its chief remaining topic
the anti-submarne declaration--fa-
vorably disposed Of the naval commit
tee was moving swiftly toward culmina-
ton of it's work in the final drafting OF
the five Power naval limitation treaty.
The naval experts worked away during
the day at details Of the technical ques-
tions still to be settled and as fast as
clause was completed. II was hurried 60
the legal experts Of the conference Tor
overhauling as TO Language TO permit lts
incorporation into the treaty.
II was explained officially that the
treaty would not be brought up before
the naval committee for final action un-
til the legal experts had finished with II
so there would be no necessity for delay
while any group consulted its lawyer"
before giving formal assent.
Another point to be developed In the
treaty is a provision for future confer
ences for change of the five Power pact
should scientific or political changes
IN the world come which seemed TO any
of the signatory Powers to justify SUCH
a course. This provision, it was said
authoritatively, has been contemplated
from the first There is the possibility
that new agencies of naval warfare may
he developed rendering new agreements
necessary-if n competitive building
race in such new weapons Is to be
avoided
IL also provides against the possible
ity that some Power or group of Powers
outside the pact should arise equipped
with such naval strength as might make
The limitations imposed upon the sigma
tory Powers dangerous to one or more
OF them.
Aside from this provision. 1t was said,
there Is nothing in contemplation which
would pave the way for elaboration or
the limitation nact into an agreement
10 confer in case Of threatened outside
aggression against one of the five sig
natory Powers. The future conferences
TO he provided for viii be limited spe-
officially 70 the subject matter OF the
Give Power treaty, & was stated.
The treaty also will contain defini-
tion Of n ship Of war, 1t was indicated
as this will be necessary both Tor full
understanding OF the submarine prohibi-
tion and possibly IN connection with the
rules 10 govern conversion or mercnant-
men for war service. There will be no
aftenpt. however. TO daFne a merchant
shin. beyond the extensive legal and in
ternational literature on the subject al
ready existing
IL was pointed out for the American
croup that the question OF the status OF
ship was one OF fact; that there ad-
hered 20 merchant ships under the ac-
cepsed practices Of international law
both rights and immunities and obliga-
iions with respect 10 belllgerent craft
which must be observed on both sides.
Where violations are charged on either
side. they will be subject 20 proof after
the fact. u was held.
During the discussion or the subma-
rine issue Admiral Baron Kato of Japan
Is understood 90 have raised a question
as TO whether submarines could be en-
ployed for purposes OF blockade. The
British view, as expressed. was said to
be that this would be contrary to the
spirit Of the agreement and the attitude
OF the other delegations was not devel-
oped. In the end Baron Kato withdrew
his qus - in the interest OF harmony.