The Washington times., 1922-01-08
A|RCRAF uses
To BE DECIDED
|! IN NEW FARLEY
Big Five" Reported Also to
Have Agreed to Defer Action
on Rules of Warfare.

BY Universal Service.
Postponement Of the question Of
limitation of aircraft and revision
Of the rules of warfare to another
conclave of the powers was in
formally agreed upon by the dele
cation to the ornaments confer
ence, at a session of the arma-
ments committee late yesterday.
Definite decision to defer action
is scheduled for tomorrow.
For the present the nations repI E.
scented here will satisfy themselves
with the adoption of resolutions re-
affirming accepted principles of inter.
national law with regard to aircraft. II
was indicated. These re-statements or
existing law, as In the case o. sub
marines. will declare there are rccog-
nized prohibitions against aircraft
chant ships. -
Poison Gas Ban Approved.
The Root resolution. proposed Fri
DAY, outlawing the use of poisonous
gases in warfare, was adopted unai.i-
mously after Albert Sarraut, Arthur
Ealfour and Admiral Baron kato,
heads respectively of the French, Brit
ish and Japanese delegations, had ex-
pressed the approval of their govern
rnents. The United States and Italy
had given their assent Friday.
In agreeing to the ban on warfare
gases, however. II was made plain bv
NJ Sarraut and Mr.. Balfour that the
resolution In no way affected the right
Il each power to keep itself prepared
against the eventuality of an un-
| scrupulous enemy attempting SIR
prise attack with gas.
The concensus among the delegates
that aircraft Limitation and rules of
| warfare should be deferred to another
conclave was revealed after submission
by Secretary Hughes Of the report OF
the subcommittee of aircraft experts
OF the five big naval powers.
Text OF Recommendation.
The text of the subcommittee'- CO..
c'usions reads:
1.-THE committee Is of the opinio
that II is not practicable to impo
| any effective limitations upon tn
numbers or characteristics Of aircraf
either commercial or military, excer
in the single case Of lighter than-ai
craft
1.-THE committee Is of the opinio
that the use Of aircraft in war shout
be governed by the rules of warfare
as adapted to aircraft by further
conference. which should be held at {
later date, go. - '
Then followed the discussion. init
ated by Lord Lee, of the British dele
cation who indicated desire that the
subject should not be proceeded with
Spokesman for the French and Italian,
delegations concurred in the sugges
ton that aircraft should not be con
sidered at this time,
Balfour Urges Delay.
BaIfour then made a demand that
the proposed .'evision Of the rules Of
warfare likewise should be left to q
future conference. He declared the
4 subcommittee report would open up q
Tremendous subject" and said he was
| not sure II came within the limitations
of his authority to act.
Other delegates commented after the
session was adjourned that this was
the first time during the conferences
| that the head of the British delega
ton had confessed to a lack OF power
to proceed to a determination on any
question.
M. Sarraut, Senator Schanzer and
Baron Kato indicated. too. that they
were not ready to go into the subject
of rules of warfare at the present
conference.
While the Root resolution brought
some of the principal powers Of the
world together for suppression Of ths
abhorrent uses of warfare gases, M
Sarraut made it plain that adhesion
Of the other powers to the prohibition
is necessary to attainment Of the full
benefits Of the rule.
Mr.. Balfour spoke along similar
lines. He said that as there had beer
In the past a country which felt 1,
was not bound to respect the law, the
nations should insist on the right
being reserved to all powers to keeS
prepared to meet eventualities.
Mr.. Balfour called attention to the
lack Of a penal clause in the Roo
measure, but conceded that such &
provision would be Of little, II any
value.