The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-01-04
AGREEMENT
IS NEAR ON
SUBMARINE
Naval Experts Complete
Report to Be Given
Arms Meet.


sociated PressD - The practical
completion of the report to be sub
m1tted by the committee Of naval
experts to the naval committee of
the armament conference, and
agreement of the subcommittee on
Chinese tariff on 5 per cent ef-
fective basis, were two important
developments today in the confer
ence situation.
The naval committee may be
called to meet this afternoon or to-
morrow, it was said, to receive the
report of the experts, which will
embody precise definition of the re-
placement schedules, as well as the
which are to be eliminated from the
navies of the signatory powers.
While the rate agreed upon by
the Subcommittee on Chinese tariff
is the same as that provided in ex-
listing treaties, the fixing of 5 per
cent as the effective" rate is eX-
pected to result in a clear increase
of approximately 11a per cent to
the Chinese government, adverse
legislation pending reduced the ex-
listing tariff to about 31a per cent.
French Accept SPrinciple."
Washington, Jan. 4.-(By the AS
sociated Press.)-An important step
toward agreement by the powers
on the American proposal to pro-
hibit use of submarines against
merchant vessels was seen today IN
the proposals acceptance in princi-
pie by the French delegation, sub
ject to a discussion of the precise
language of the declaration.
Although acceptances still are
awaited from the governments Of
Italy and Japan, there were indi-
cations that neither of these pow
ers would interpose serious objec-
ton if the proposal received the
full approval of France, and it was
believed the delegations possibly
would be prepared to resume dis
cussion of the matter today at a
meeting of the full naval commit
tee of the conference.
The exact nature Of the reserva-
tions attached to the French ac-
ceptance, as communicated to Sec
retary Hughes by Ambassador JUS
serand late yesterday, had not been
revealed, but it was believed that
they might concern stipulations to
govern the conduct of merchant
men under immunity from subma
rine attack, as to whether they are
to be permitted to disguise war
ships as commercial craft. That
phase of the question, if raised,
probably would develop other ram
j1h n n
interesting and many-sided discus
sion.
Protect Merchantmen.
The French acceptance in prin-
ciple also embraces the Ba1four
amendment under which the ban
ming of submarine operations
against merchantmen would be-
come effective Immediately as be-
tween the five powers, and the ad-
ditional Root declaration defining
as an act of piracy the violation by
a submarine commander Of the
rules OF international law.
Hopes for an early windup of the
far eastern negotiations when they
are resumed, probably next week,
also appeared to have been
SLTenSL1eHSu Ds
ments in connection with the Shan
tung issue. Definite results were
expected in many quarters from the
action of the Chinese delegates in
personally approaching Secretary
Hughes and Arthur J. Balfour. re-
spective heads of the American and
British delegations, in move to
break their deadlock with the Jap
, anese on the Shantung question and
to secure more direct employment
of the proffered good Offices" OF
those officials.
Brands 'Treaty@ False.
Another repudiated document
had been added today to the list
of those made public by the special
delegation here from the far east
ern republic, as relating to Japan
ese and French policy in Siberia.
Copies of an alleged treaty between
the Japanese army and Russian of
| ficers connected with Ataman Sem
ienoff, the anti-bolsheviki leader,
! whereby the Japanese agreed to
support with arms and money an
offensive against the army of the
! far eastern republic, were publish
| ed by the delegation yesterday, and
at once were denounced by Admi-
raj Baron Kato, senior japanese
delegate, as absolutely false