The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-01-07
WASHINGTON
CONFERENCE
AT CRISIS
Charges Of Double
dealing by France
and Japan Pressed
by Far Eastern Del
egates

Washington. Jan. 2 {By the AS
sociated Press While practical
) " all the machinery OF the arms
conference stood still over the New
Years holiday, the unofficial dele
cation OF the Far Eastern. republic
took Advantage OF the hull to press
their charges OF secret French
japanese understanding for per-
petuation OF japanese control IN
Siberia.
The Far Eastern delegates de-
clared that proof Of their charges.
already denied by both the French
and japanese delegates, could be
obtained by examination Of orig
inal documents in the archives Of
the Far Eastern government al
Chita. They suggested that such
an inquiry be made, by American
consular officials so that the re-
suits might be known to the con-
ference when it takes up consid-
Grafton OF Siberian problems.
TO emphasize the French public
denial made yesterday, Albert Sar-
raut. head Of the French delega-
ton. formally notified Secretary
Hughes, as chairman OF the con-
ference that the charges were
wholly without foundation in fact.
The French government, NJ. Sar-
raut said. in q written communi-
cation to the conference head, had
entered into no commitments re-:
garding Siberia except those Of
which the United States already.
was aware.
! In view of the French and Jap
Yanese reputation of the charges
and the position Of the Far East
ern delegates as outsiders" sent
TO the conference by an ,nrecog-
nized government, the inclination
in many conference circles was not
to take the development very SER
iously. AT the same time the ac-
cusations. attracted widespread at
tention and furnished a ready topic
Of discussion at dull period in the
conference negotiations.
The navy experts alone worked
through the holiday giving their
day. as a study OF the technical
details remaining to be settled in
connection with the naval limita-
ton agreement 1t was said their
deliberations were at such stage
tonight that all the loose ends of
the settlement probably could be
cleared away within q few days.
If questions of policy raised by the
submarine regulation proposals can
be settled in time, the conference
leaders believe the FIVE power treaty
for naval limitation can be put into
definite form during the present
week.
Tomorrow the naval experts will
continue their work and the SUBJ
committee appointed to formulate
a new tariff program for China also
viii hold a meeting. Various other
naval and Far Eastern questions
will occupy the attention of the
other delegates. in informal con-
ferences.
Regarded as Troublesome
The question Of proposed restric-
tionsc on submarine warfare is re-
garded by all delegations as the
most troublesome of the naval
problems remaining unsolved. The
first OF the Root submarine resolu-
tions, reaffirning adherence TO the
existing principles OF international
Law. has already been accepted by
the five powers; but the second
and third, proposing still more
stringent restrictions on the use Of
underwater craft, are leading to
much controversy.
Under the second resolution, the
five powers Will join in an agree
ment that in any future war among
them submarines would not be
used in any circumstances as COM
merce destroyers. The United
States and Great Britain alone have
aceded TO this proposition, Japan
and Italy have adopted a no3-ccc..-
initial attitude toward ii, and the
French have shown some inclina-
ton at least 20 propose modifica-
iions before they can favor adop-
ton
AS the resolution first was pre-
sented by Elihu Root of the Ameri-
can delegation it merely would
have proposed that the prohibition
against submarine attacks on mer-
chant shipping be suggested by the
powers as a modification Of inter
national law which all nations
would nave TO accept before il be-
came effective. AT the instance of
Arthur j. Balfour of the British
delegation. however. provision
was inserted making the prohibi-
ton immediate as between the Uni
ted States. Great Britain. France.
Japan and Italy. In it's original
form the French indicated the pro-
posal would be acceptable TO their
government but they said tonight
that they had received no instruc-
tions from Paris regarding the re-
solution as amended.
ShouId Not Be Armed
The delay is taken as strength
ening the possibility that France
may have qualifications of further
changes TO suggest before she gives
assent. Among some of the French
there is q feeling that merchant