Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-01-04

Should that point be raised, an in
teresting and many sided discussion
might result. for in several quarters
there has been apparent tendency to-
ward the opinion that the term "mer-
chant ships" should be strictly defined.
with express stipulations as to whether
merchantmen are to be permitted to
arm and whether it is to be permis
sible to disguise warships as vessels of
commerce.
The French delegates. however, in
making known their acceptance in
principle, have emphasized that they
not only agree TO the original proposal
of Eiihu Root that the new prohbi-
ton on submarine warfare become
effective when all nations have agreed
to it, but also to the amendment of
Arthur J. Balfour. which would make
the prohibition Immediately effective
as between the five great powers.
The French also have accepted the
additional Root declaration under which
any submarine commander violating
rules of international law would be
liable to trial for an act Of piracy.
The French acceptance was COM
municated to Secretary Hughes by
Ambassador Jusserand late Tuesday
while proceedings of the conference
We're passing through another period
of outward inactivity but while deyel-
opments that touched on several other
important issues were stirring behind
the scenes.
Willing to Clarity Pacific Pact
Following the example of the Amer
leans, the British group Indicated it
will have no objection to the japanese
proposal to clarity further the scope
of the new four-power Pacific treaty
so that it will not apply to the principal
islands of the Japanese empire. A de-
finite. declaration. to be approved by
the four signatory powers. is under
stood to be in preparation.
May Raise Issue at Cannes
Some delegates also turned their
eyes on Cannes. France. where the
allied supreme council is about to
meet. in the hope that some angle
of the submarine question would come
into the discussion there.
1t was said at the White House that
Harvey had not been in
structed to raise the submarine issue
at the conference. but there were in
forward by another power he would be
in a position to discuss it.
In discussing the French acceptance
Of the submarine restrictions. NJ Sar-
raut declared his government accepts
frankly not only. the Root resolutions,
but Mr.. Ra1four's proposal in respect
to the second one"
New Questions Raised by Sub Action
Previously strong misgivings appear
ed to have arisen in the minds Of
rarious delegates as to the prudence
IF accepting Mr.. Balfour's suggestion
hat the submarine prohibition be ac-
,epted now by the five powers without
waiting for the universal consent"
which MIR. Root said was necessary to
aw. Naval people were said to be
hiuking of the need for clear and
wen elaborate definitions Of the mean
ng Of the resolution and the naval
luestions opeued up by It.. The resol,l-
Ion provides that submarines shall
lot be used as commerce destroyers /
Some questions raised are these:
If submarines may not attack COM |
nerce carriers. may they be attacked |
" capital ships or lighter sea surface |
rarships or by airplancs or by mines |
# by any device employable other than |
y submarines?
Are merchant ships free TO run down |
Z attack submarines or can they be |
onverted into auxiliary naval craft {
aving all the appearance Of merchant I
hips. although really armed. or can
merchant ships employed to lay mines
e. attacked by submarines?
II capital ships may lombard open I
owns are submarines also freq to I
ombard undefended ports?
What is to be the relation of the
so of submarines. precluded from en-
non-comhatants, and use by
md armies or airplanes and poisonous
as bombs? +
As head ftho Japanese delegation.
saron Kato took occasion to deny
abled reports that direct negotiations
the ehantu4f question had
apaness alinistsS. |