New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-08
lndorse Root Resolution
Which Declares Poison
Materials Contrary to
Laws of Civilization
Later Conference
TO Fix Air Rules
Limitation Held Imprac.
ticable, but Bombing of
Cities May Be Stopped

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (By The As
sociatcd Press The five major naval
powers of the world, through the naval
committee of the arms conference. to-
day voted to outlaw gas as a weapon
of war, and in adopting the Root reso-
luton to that end invited world ad-
herencc of all nations to the prohbi-
tlon as a rule Of international law.
The committee then turned to the
third new agency Of ear with which it
has been called upon to deal aircraft
but had not completed discussion when
adjournment was taken over the week
end
Indications were that there would be
no effort to restrict airplane develop
mcnt through limitation in numbers,
size or military characteri A sub
committee, in an elaborate report.
recommended against such a course as
both Impractical ana unwise.
May Bar Bombing of Cities
Even action TO curb lighter than air
Developments or fleets seemed improb-
1Oic, as lnc ttlcEdtpS dppr IcitlH w
not regard Zeppelin ships as Of serious
menace. The discussion brought out
the possibility, however, that a dcclara
ton against the bombing of open, UNI
fortified towns or cities might later
be laid before the conference for ap-
prevail. coupled with q iive-power con-
tract to refrain from such acts as
among themselves.
The anti gas resolution went through
as drawn by Elihu Root, of the Amer
can delegation. 1t reads
"Thc use in war Of asphyxiatins,
poisonous or other gases and all
other analogous liquids, materials
or devices having been Justly con-
the civilized world, and a prohibition
of such use having been declared in
treaties to which a majority OF the
civilized powers are parties;
"Now, to the end that this prohi-
bition shall be universally accepted
as part of international law. bind
ing alike the conscience and the
practice of nations, the signatory
powers declare their assent to such
prohibition, agree to be bound there
by between themselves and invite all
other civilized nations to adhere
thcrcto.'
Applaudcd as Example
In giving adherence of France to this
doctrine Albert Sarraut, head Of the
French delegation. said that while
"the exercise of authority" in the ban
ming Of gas warfare did not seem prac-
ticablc, the Root proposal WIS none
The less useful because it would be
"a bond OF union among the five pow
crs against an abhorrcnt method of
warfare, and also because the example
they set for themselves possessed a
mot inconsidcrablc persuasive power
on world action at large
Arthur j. Bafour. for tho British,
discussed the gas problem AT some
length in concurring in the Root prin-
ciplc. He argued that the history of
international discussion on the sub
ject made the Root proposal no new
element of international law, but a re-
affirmation Of that law. Such a course
was valuable, Mr.. Balfour said, al
though it was a fact that the declara-
tion would not relieve nations of the
necessity of preparing themselves to
guard against the use of gas by an un~
scrupulous enemy.
In 1915. Mr.. Bafour continued, the
present proposal was the law of ma
tions," and for that reason no nation
Continued on page three)