The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-01-03

IL 1 = ~ - 49, '--'tt -
CT diplomatic notes. No agreement
has been reached as yet.
Signs were multiplying, particular
ly in the opinion of The Chinese del
cgation, that Japan, seeing the sue
cess of Frances stand on submarines,
may decide to adept a more positive
stand against the full concessions de-
mandad Of her for settlement of the
questions involving China. Should
Japan pursue such a course, practi-
callv the whole of the Far Eastern
chase of the conference would be
failure, along with the naval l:mita-
ton program.
Even the capital ship ratio agree
mcnt-the only part of the naval pro-
gram which appeared possible of saw
inc intact-is far from an assured
fact. it was pointed out in some con-
ference circles. Frances two reser-
vations on beginning construction OF
replacements four years earlier than
proposed ard on duration OF the
agreement must be disposed of. Then,
if the naval agreements are ali en-
bodied in treaty as forecsat by the
American delegation, the past must be
ratified by the French parliament, as
we'll as the United States senate.
Ratification by France cannot be re-
lied upon as certain.
In spite of the furor created by the
Sarraut-Balfour clash, the French del
egation apparently was not worrying
over the prospect Of strained relations
between France and Great Britain.
It was pointed out in certain confer
erce quarters that it has been tradl-
tionally true that Great Britain has
greater respect and closer relations
with a nation that insists upon its
rights and has fighting weapons to
back up that insistence than for
weak power without fighting forces
that surrenders its rights.
French Resent Blame
The French bitterly resent the OBJ
viously concerted effort of the other
DELEGATIONS to blame them for the
wrecking of the Hughes naval pro-
gram. They claim they asked only
for submarines they absolutely need
for national security and assert what
ever odium there may be properly at
tacbed to those who sought to force
her to accept less than she needs.
It was openly intimated in French
circles that the American delegates
were believed to have been made un-
consciously to play Great Brltaln's
game in Joining the drive at France
on the submarine question.
The French naval program on "hich
Tho conference went on the rocks, II
vas asserted b. the French today
was prepared in Paris even before
tho French delegation left for Am
erica. It was laid before the Ameri-
can delegation during the first week
of the conference, they said, further'
but was put aside until Japan's hgn'
for the Mutsu was finished lhen
the French plead, publicity developed
on the French position so as to place
her in the position of having DlacKeo
the elimination plan.
An outstanding feature of todays
consideration of the Root plan Tor re-
s+riction of the use of submarines to
operations against war craft only
was the development of the objection
bv certain foreign delegates that 1he
Root proposal virtually would accom-
nlisb for Great Britain what she fall
ed in her fight for abolition of the
submarine.
Great Brttain's spokesmen all along
have asserted boldly that the suonaar-
inc was of no use whatever against
warships. The sole value OF the SUD-
marine. they have contended' IS IN
attacking merchant craft. therefore,
the foreign delegates, if the Root plan
to prohibit the use of submarines
against merchant craft under any cir
cumstances should prevail without
modification or Interpretation, Great
Br:tain's fight for abolition OF the
under-sea boats would be won to all
practical intents and purposes.
A British spokesman, IN confer
ence with newspaper correspondents
tonight, freely stated that his delega-
ton believed the proposed extension
of the recognized rules of warfare
would almost completely nullify the