The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-01-14
POISON GAS VOTED
INTO THE DISCARD
Terrors of Submarine War
fare VIII Be Curbed-
Chinese Question Settled.

Washington.-Th Washington con-
ference about completed its armament
limitation program Saturday by voting
poison gas into the discard.
AS in the case of new rules to gov
ern submarines, the prohibition against
use of gas in future wars was adopted
by the five great powers as applicable
among themselves, with an invitation
to the rest of the world to join in the
agreement
That left on the armament waiting
list of the conference only two topics
limitation of aircraft and general re-
vision of the rules of warfare.
Washington.-A five-power contract
to impose the age-old penalties for
piracy against naval commanders who
violate accepted laws of naval war
fare was approved Friday by the ar
mament committee of the Washington
conference.
1t completed the Root formula for
suppression of U-boat terrorism at
sea- and the committee then moved
forward toward a prescription OF gas
warfare on sea or land,
Again Mr.. Root drew the resolution
to effect the prohibition.
Again an immediate five-pOWer con-
tract to abandon gas or other similar
chemical weapons as beyond the pale
of humane tolerance is proposed, to
be worked out later by world agree
ment into the fabric of international
law. And again it seemed certain that
under American initiative, war in fu-
ture would be stripped of others of the
horrors German ingenuity let loose
upon the world.
Italy gave quick adhesion to the
anti-gas project as "a real step in the
path Of progress and civilization" Ad-
journment of the committee prevented
the views Of other delegations from be-
ing presented, but all were said to
favor the ban on gas warfare.
The Shantung conversations be-
tween the Japanese and Chinese dele
Friday when the Chinese declined to
accept a Japanese counter proposal
for payment for the Kiao-Chow-Tsinan.
Flu railway by a 15-year loan redeem.
able by China in five years upon six
months notice.
The American proposal to prohibit
use Of submarines against merchant
ships was accepted by the powers
Thursday at the same time that issues
which have bulked large in the Far
Eastern negotiations were likewise
being brought to decision.
Under the submarine declaration
the United States, Great Britain. Jap
an, France and Italy undertake be-
tween themselves not to employ under
water craft as commerce destroyers
and invite the other nations OF the
world to join in the agreement.
The decision, regarded everywhere
as the most significant naval achieve
ment since the capital ship agreement,
came out of an animated meeting of
1t was taken in many quarters as fore
casting favorable action on the fur
Their proposal to make violations OF
the rules of warfare by submarine
commanders acts of piracy.
In the Far Eastern end of the con-
ference agreements were reached for
amelioration of the foreign control of
China's tariff and for steps toward
withdrawal of foreign troops from
Chinese soil, but the Shantung CONVEX
sations hung fire and developed dndi-
cations of growing frictions between
the Japanese and Chinese
So delicate was the situation regard
ing Shantung that the Chinese ind1-
Gated after the meeting that they had
delivered a virtual "ultimatum," de-
claring that separate exchanges by
the Japanese must come to an end un-
less the latter are ready to accept a
counter-proposal rendered them
The subcommittee of experts con-
tinued whipping technical details into
shape for inclusion in the five-power
naval treaty and it was indicated that
the instrument would be ready for sig
nature within few days
AS a collateral feature of the trea-
ty provision is to be made for a future
consultation among the powers in case
any unforeseen political or scientific
development changes the situation.