Evening star., 1922-01-03
French, Italians and Japa-
nese Delay Action While
Naval Experts Work.
ROME HOLDS OLD RULES
COVER ROOT RESOLUTION
Toxic Expected to Agree to Pro-
pcsals-Early Action Is
Hoped For.

Arthur J. Bnlfeur and Secretary
Hughes have been approached ~
the Chinese arms delegation re-
Eardinx the existing deadlock with
the Japanexe ON ShantunS, ana
have been asked to mediate, 1T was
learned today on high authority.
In conference circles 1t was con-
sidered probable that the Chinese
oyertures would be accepted by
MesSrs. Balfour and Hughes. rs 1t
xvns under their auspices that the
conversations first were begun In
order, 1t was understOOd. to keep
the ShantunE controversy out OF
the arms conference proper.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.
With the French. italian and Japa-
nese delegations still awaiting in
structions from their home govern
nents in regard to the Root proposal
that submarines shall be debarred
from destroying merchant vessels in
time of war, the Washington confer
only the naval experts working upon
technical details that must be put In
shape for the naval treaty.
At the French and Italian head
quarters it was said that the neces-
sary instructions from Paris and
Rome should be available soon. Sec
cretary Hughes did not call the COM
mittee on limitation of armament to-
Eether at all today, as it had been
agreed by the delegates that nothing
could be done until the instruct tions
had been received.
International Law Basis.
The Italian delegation last week
cabled Rome asking permission to
agree to the second Root proposal.
which would debar submarines from
attack upon merchant vessels in war
time. A reply was received in which
the Italian government took the po-
sition that in view of the first Root
proposal regarding submarines (that
submarines must observe lnterna-
tional law regarding merchant YES
sells in the same way that IT is OBJ
served by surface vessels) 1t was not
necessary to adopt the second Root
proposal.
Inc GeleSdLlOH- ho"cNSis
las again cabled to the home gov
crnment, saying in effect that they
consider it advisable to agree to the
second Root proposal also. To this
cable they are awaiting reply.
French Favor Same Position.
While the French are maintaining
silence regarding the second Root
proposal debarring submarines from
destroying commercial vessels, it Is
understood that the French govern
fnent has been inclined to take the
same position as that taken b. the
italian government in Its first reply
to the Italian delegation, ,os,.,o,
maintain that if the first Root pro-
posal is lived up to and interna-
donal law Is observed 1t Is not neces-
eary to put into effect the second
The third Root resolution. which nj :
which destroyed merchant vessels
treated as a pirate, has been waiting
upon action on the second Root pro-
In Japanese quarters it was said
today that Japan. 1t was thought.
would agree to the Root proposals re-
Earding submarines.
The proceedings of the meeting at
Cannes between Lloyd George and
Premier BRAND. are being watched In
conference circles here with much
interest. There Is still a belief in
some quarters that something may
be done there which will relieve the
submarine situation. even to such an
extent that the question of subma
rines and other auxiliary tonnage
may be taken up again by the Wash
tngton conference and limits fixed for
them. as in the case of capital ships.
But so far this is mere speculation.
Three Days LuIl.
It Is now three days since the major
committee on Limitation of armament
had q meeting, and there Is feeling
that something should be done as
(Continued on Page 2, Column 81