Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-04
BAN AGAINST SHIPS
CONTINUED from Page ons)

ton as would make it clear just
what conduct would be expected from
merchantmen in view Of their i'm
munity from submarine attacks.
Should that point be raised an in
teresting and many sided discussion
might result, for in several quarters
there have been apparent tendencies
toward the opinion that the term
merchant ships" could be strictly
defined with express stipulations as
to whether merchantmen are to be
permitted to arm and whether it is
to be permissible to disguise war
ships as vessels of commerce.
The Frenh delegation, however. in
making known their. acceptance in
principle, has emphasized that they
not only agree to the original propos-
al of Elihu Root that the new prohi-
bition on submarine warfare become
effective when all nations have
agreed to it, but also to the amend
ment of Arthur j. Balfour, which
would make the prohibition immedi
ately effective as between the five
great powers.
At the same time the French have
accepted the additional Root declara-
tion under which any submarine COM
mander violating the rules of internal
tional law would be liable to trial Cor
also acceptances still are awaited from
the other foreign governments. 1t is
possible the delegates instructions
will be sufficiently complete, however.
to permit a meeting of the naval COM
mittee of the whole tomorrow.
The French acceptance was commu-'
nicated to Secretary Hughes by Am
hassador Jusserand late today while
the formal proceedings of teh confer
cnce were passing through another pc
Rod of outward inactivity bat while
developments that touched on several
other important issues of the WASH
ington negotiations were stirring be.
hind the scenes.
The Chinese. moving to break their
deadlock with the Japanese over
Shantung. took steps toward more 81
rect employment of the profered
good Offices" of Secretary Hughes
and Arthur ]. Balfour. The respcc-
tive heads of the American ard Brit
ish delegations were approached per-
sonally by the Chinese representatives
and in some quarters definite results
are expected within a few days.
Following the example of the Ameri-
cans, the British group indicated that
it Will have no objection to the Jap
anese proposal to clarity further The
scope of the new foIr-power PACIFIC
rrincipa! islands of the Japanese En-
pire. A definite declaration on TIE
subject, to be approved by the four
sigma tory powers, is understood to be
in preparation.
Meantime work on two important
collateral features of the conference.
involving technical details of the ma
val settlement and revision of The
Chinese tariff system. moved forward
in subcommittee with a promise of
early conclusion. The naval experts
sub committee spent all day clearing
away the remaining loose ends of the
naval agreement. and the tariff sub
committee is understood at a session
late in the day to have reached vir-
tual decision regarding the r"adjust-
ment Of China's tariff schedule.
Before the meeting of the tariff body
its chairman, Senator Underwood II
the American delegation, conferred at
length with Albert Sarraut, head OF
the French group. and they are said %
have discussed the particular interest
of France in the new Chinese fiscal
arrangement arising out of conditions
along teh border of French Indo-Chi-
ma. The entire subject of the open
door is understood to have Teen re-
viewed by the two delegates. with the
result that the work of the sub-com-
mttee was facilitated materially.