The New York herald., 1922-01-10
Fear of Paralyzing Com
mercial Development Is
Voiced in Discussion.
BAN ON BOMBING URGED
Root Suggests Extension OF
international Restrictions
to Aircraft.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 9 (Associated
Press) All suggestions for limitation
Of military aircraft were thrust aside
as impracticable to-day by the naval
committee Of the arms conference, the
following resolution being adopted:
The committee is Of the opinion
that it is not at present practicable
to impose any effective limitations
upon the numbers or characteristics
of aircraft, either commercial or
military.
At the same time agreement was
reached for the creation Of a mixed
commission of experts and jurists to
take up at some future time a study
Of the rules of warfare in their appli-
cation to aerial operations. The exact
wording of the resolution to this end.
including TIE specific mission of the
commission and just how the body
was to be constituted, was left to the
drafting committee.
The agreement eliminates from the
report Of the subcommittee an exception
to lighter than air craft. and at the
suggestion of Arthur J. Balfour of the
British group inserts the words "at
present" Mr.. Balfour said the time
might come when arms limitation
projects could be projected into the field
Of aviation. more definite knowledge
then being available as to practical
distinction between commercial and
military flying machines.
schanzer Is Disappointed.
Senator schanzer of Italy suggested a
future conference on the subject and
called attention to the fact that Italy's
representative on the subcommittee had
thought some Limitation Of air forces
might be possible through restriction
of the numbers of military pilots.
| Senator Underwood replied that a
pilot training for commercial work
could fly a military machine and agreed
that aircraft limitations were imprac-
| ticable.
/ Mr.. Balfour pointed out that many
I persons thought development of avia-
ton would exert an immense influence
4 upon economic development of man
kind" adding that restrictions on air
craft development. therefore. would re-
strict also the peaceful purposes of
/ international intercommunication."
NJ Sarraut. for the French. shared
/ this view. He would regard with appre-
heneion, he said. anything of a nature
! So ltza ha
/ Baron kato. for japan, said the time
would come when aircraft limitations
/ would be necessary, but agreed that 1t
/ could not be done now, and Mr.. Hughes
1 summed up committee opinion as
/ against any attempt to restrict air
plane development.
! The subcommittee suggestion that an
other conference be called TO consider
/ the rules OF war applying to aircraft
1 was then taken UP. Senator Schanzer
recalled the bombing of Frent h, British
and Italian cities during the war, which
! brought death to women aud children
and destruction to buildings and works
! Of art which were the patrimony OF
| the whole of humanity"
Bombardment of Towns.
Admiral de Bon OF France ooncurred.
citing Hague conventions as against the
bCmbardment OF untortineu toWnS as
having been violated. Mr.. Root pointed
out, however. that those conventions
were aimed In that respect at land or
naval bombardment, not specifically nor
by Implication at aircraft bombing. He
added that Paris was fortified and that
most OF the cities of Europe had some
sort of defense which might be held to
make them liable to bombardment by
an enemy. and suggested that the COM
mittee might act to extend the rule OF
international law more clearly and ap-
ply IL to aircraft.
There were two rules, Mr.. Root said
one that a defended town must not be
bombarded without warning to permit
noncombatants to seek safety, and the
other that undefended towns could not
be bombarded at all. The spirit of these
would prevent aircraft from lombard
ing any town whatever, he said, adding
"Bombard a railroad junction, a sta
tion cross? Yes. Bombard a munitions
factory? Yes But the center Of an
innocent population? No. not under any
circumstances at ALL"
The rules, Mr.. Root insisted. were in
adequate as they are, and Mr.. Hughes
in agreement. said the matter Of neces-
slty would require careful consideration
He suggested a provision for a future