The New York herald., 1922-01-06
SEA RULES READY
Naval Treaty Provides
For No Defensive
or Offensive
Alliance.
ASKS WORLD ADHESION
Non- -Signatory Powers In
vited to Join in Ban OH
Undersea Horrors.
CANCELLATION EVIDENT
Japan and Italy Accept Exist
ing Right of Merchant
4
CANCELLATION EVIDENT
sneotal psOa,en 10 THE new YORK HERALD

Special Dispatch 10 THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. Jan. D.
The five great naval Powers Of the
world-Great Britain, the United
States. Japan, France and Italy-to.
day formally adopted a resolution to
outlaw the submarine as weapon OF
war against merchant vessels.
In addition 10 this definite action
the Powers have practically reached
an agreement as to the form the
limitation OF naval armament will
take. The preparation of the
now rests in the hands of the :.
ing committee.
That action, together with formal
decisions as to the Chinese tar = sld
general understanding as to toe at
titude OF the Powers toward China,
brings the Conference for the Limita
ton of Armament appreciably n rer
its end.
! Nothing was said to-day con err
/ ing the date Of the plenary ses
which viii be held to register
I final approval OF the agreem
reached, but 1t is still possible it ioag
be held Saturday of this week. ail
ure of the Chinese and japanese lo
reach an agreement to-day over Sh r-
tung may delay the final adjourn.
ment of the conference.
Rights of Merchantmen.
! The Root resolutions barring the
| submarine az IN instrument OF attack
against merchant ships were adopted
With considerably less debate than
had been anticipated. Japan and
! Italy raised tie question as to what
/ constituted a merchant ship, receiving
/ the explanation that each case must
rest on it's own merits and that under
/ the rules Of international law each
merchant ship has certain rights
which II may maintain and certain
obligations which 1t must observe.
| That leaves the exact definition of a
merchant skip open TO some question
/ and does not eliminate the possibility
/ of merchant vessels arming them
! selves for defense under certain con-
! ditions.
! 4 spokesman for the British said
to-day that international law had long
recognized that merchant vessel
| possessed tllc right OF arming for de-
! fease. Most OF the new British mcg-
} chant vessels row being constructed
/ are reinforced so as TO mount six inch
guns IL deemed necessary.
II was evident in the committee de-
i liberations that none of the Powers
wishes to he placed in the position OF
I putting obstacles in the way OF tho
adoption OF the Root resolutions.
/ Japan asked the question concerning
/ the definition and status Of merchant
vessels. Italy volunteered the infor-
nation iha, I. Joined In this request
( for information. but when the Japa-
nesc delegates explained they did no;
( wish 20 insist upon definite explana-
tion the Italian delegation expressed
/ the Same conciliatory attitude.
Crux OF the Agreement.
IS adopted. the Root resolutions differ
slightly IN pnr-useoiogy from the original
draft. the FIRST resolution being divided
! for convenience OF reference. That reso-
luton FIRST reaffirms the old principle o.
! international law providing that ~ey-
chan. v.sscls mus, ~, ordered 20 stnr
70 visit and search before sclzur
/ drstructiou
! Tho second part invites the mons
tory Powers to register their
20 tnat statement OF International y
The lhrd resolution. formerly kir
A. The second Roo; resolution. Il ne
Crux of ,hs agreement. II recoF
The imrossIblity OF submarines conf
Ing 10 International law and bars
use under any circumstances In at
ing merchant vessels. II includes fs
Baifour amendment to the effect
Immediately upon adoption this
principle OF international law sha'l
binding between the Powers nrakinf
agreement n mere. All other nations
invited 10 assent TO this new prin
Of International law.
The general agreement on Limit,
~ Naval Armanents Is 20 be W.T.
into the form OF a treaty and
provide for conferences among the 81
tory Powers when there arc differences
growing out of the agreement. The pro-
pcsal Is In line with thc provision IN tic
four Power Pacific treaty for future
conferences. but applies or iy 20 Ques-
tions growing out OF Interpretations OF
the naval treaty.
In event Of attack by a nonsisnstory