Evening star., 1922-01-06
PACT WILL REQUIRE
NATIONS TOCONFER
Consultations in Event of
Change in Conditions Are to
Be Among Provisions.
BY LEROY r. VERNON.

A treaty. embodying the naval
Limitation Of armament and includ-
Ing a provision requiring the five
signatory powers to consult with
each other in the event of a change
in political or scientific conditions,
which have bearing on the substance
of the treaty, is now in course of
preparation for acceptance at a pien-
ary session of the conference.
The provision now contemplated;
requiring consultation. is explained
by members Of the American delega-
ton to be similar to the provision
ALREADY Incorporated in the four
power Pacific pact, and to be no more
binding upon the course of action OF
the United States. The slgnatories
to both pacts will be the same eH-
cent that Italy. which is included IN
the naval agreement, is not sig
natory power in the Pacific agree
ment
Features Of Agreement.
The topics included in the naval
agreement treaty. upon whlcn .he
United States might be invited to con-
suit in the event of changed condi-
tions, include the agreements 10 scrap
capital ships; to the Limitation OF capi-
tai ships to the 5-o-3- l.67-l6d ratio:
TO limit the size and armaments OF
capital, auxiliary and airpiane carrier
ships, as to replacements: rules relat-
ing to aircraft; the status of merchant
ships and converted merchantmen: as
to Pacific Notifications, and the koot
resolution prescribing the limitations
on the use of submarines.
All OF these questions nave 10 90
nf
and its uses and. according to the
American delegates. no other subject.
1t is recognized. however, that the
naval agreement treaty constitutes
pact which will bring the United
States, on the question Of naval arma-
ment alone, closer to an association
with the nations OF Europe. in that
the document is not confined In IT'S
scoue to application in region as IN
the case of the Pacific pact.
For this reason discussion mas al
ready begun among the delegates to
fhe' conference as to what would hap
pen II a signatory to the naval treaty
should be attacked by a nation out
side of the pact. or II two signatortes
to the pact should become involved
in war with each other.
The suggestion has already been
made in high quarters in the British
delegation that such a situation might
REQUIRE consultation, and, from the
American point of view. the question
has been raised to what extent. If
any, such q consultation might in
voive the United States in the quar-
rels Of Europe.
American Position.
While the American delegation has
not yet had any specific proposal sub
mitted to it containing a clause re-
lating to consultations, It Is admitted
~sr
= provision in the treaty which will
bind the Agnatories to consult in the
event of . change in either political
conditions or in scientific inventions
relating to naval warfare. As far as
this definition has been explained by
American interpreters. the Americn
delegation is not averse to a consul
tation in the event that a new power,
not now possessing a navy which en-
titles it to the dignity of signing the
present agreement. should suddenly
develop such. navy.
Neither is the American delegation
averse to consultation should any
new invention be made which nulIifies
or makes absurd the agreements now
being formulated relative to those
weapons of warfare at sea which are
now known and to be reckoned with by
agreements of this kind.
1t can be said that at this time the
itself beyond these two points, and
that it's members do not construe the
suggestions which have been made as
involving the United States in consult
tatfons on any questions whatever ex-
cept those contained in the treaty it.
self.
May Demand Statement.
Naturally. the irreconcilable oppo-
nents OF article X of the league of
nations covenant will demand a speci-
fic statement from the American dele
gates with reference to the meaning
OF this provision in the naval agree
ment just as they have already de-
manded 1t in the case of article IL
Of the Pacific pact.
1t 10 clear, however, that the Ameri-
can delegation in this conference has
no hesitation In committing the
United States to consultations with
stance OF the Agreements being
reached here, clearly acoentuatinE the
purpose to be to avoid disagreements
In the future concerning the meaning
and application Of the agreements
which are now being arrived at.
There would be no surprise here II
the agreement yet to be reached con.
cerning the Chinese problem should
contain q similar provision, the idea
being that the powers which have
started the reform in international
relationship among themselves in
washington should not disband and
relinquish the job, but should con-
tinue to work in assocIatio until the
work ts completed and accepted.
Copyright. lg22.)