The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-01-13
ADOPT RULE TO
OUTLAW SUBMARINE
Five Nations Approve Two OF
the Root Resolutions
PROGRESS ON FAR EAST
Resolutions For Higher Tariff For
China And Investigation OF With
drawaI OF Foreign Troops Act
ed Upon BY Committee.

WaShlngt0n.-The submarine rules,
as framed by Mr.. Root, to restore the
International law prevailing before the
World War and to add a prohibition
against any submarine attack on mer-
chant ships were unanimously adopt
ed by the Naval Committee Of the
Arms Conference.
With this submarine question out of
the way completion of the practical
naval work Of the Conference is mat
ter of hours. Agreement on tonnage
limits per ship Of the auxiliaries will
be adjusted without difficulty, probably
at 10000 tons, and the British indi-
Gated that no serious trouble will be
given by them in framing the regula-
tions affecting the relation Of mer-
chant marines to navies.
Swift progress also was made to-
ward the finish of the Conferences
work in Far Eastern affairs. These
definite steps were taken in this field:
Adoption of the Underwood subcom-
mittee's report increasing the Chinese
customs tariff to an effective 5 per
cent. with provisions for further in
creases and for a conference at
Shanghai to frame changes in the Gus
toms treaties.
Adoption OF committee report pro-
viding for meeting of representatives
Of the nations in this Conference, 9TH
er than those of China, with commit
tee of three representing China to in
vestigate the presence Of foreign
troops in China without treaty sane
ton, as step toward ultimate with
drawal.
Adoption of recommendation to
China from the Underwood sub-com-
mittee that she take action to put an
end to the large armies maintained by
provincial governors-this as means
of lessening the drain on her financial
resources, and Of promoting stable
government.
Understanding that the 81 demands
will not be considered as such, but
only as they may be related to other
questions. This understanding fol-
lowed failure today of the Far Eastern
committee to take up the 81 demands
rs the Chinese desired.
In what may be regarded as the out
side problem of the Conference, the
Shantung issue, this much progress
was made: The Chinese made def
mite offer to the Japanese to pay cash
for the one-half interest in the rail,
road claimed by the latter, and at.
tached to that offer notice that unless
it is accepted tomorrow proposal will
be made that the good offices of Mr..
Hughes and Mr.. Balfour be sought.
This means, it is probable, that
something final will be done about
Shantung, at least SO far as this Con-
ference, within few days. It may be
settlement satisfactory to the Chinese;
it may be confession of failure all
down the line; it may be announce
ment that the matter is out of the
hands of the people in Washington,
and in the hands of those in Toxic and
Picking. Meanwhile, the mystery as to
the Japanese game continues.
The success of the naval committee
In the handling OF the submarine ques-
ton on its face justified the most
sanguine hopes that were entertained
when Japan followed Frances suit in
announcing her acceptance in prin-
ciple of the Root rules.
It was feared that snag would be
struck II and when the question of
what is merchantmen was raised.
The committee escaped that snag, it
appears, by lodging the problem Of
defining a merchantmen, and that is
q fact which tonight causes some stu
dents of international affairs to dis
count somewhat the days achieve
ment, in the face of contentious from
delegates that long movement for
ward has been affected.
American delegates took the posi-
ton outlined week or more ago by
Mr.. Root in the debates in the naval
committee, namely, that there is moth
tng better established in the whole of
international law than the definition
Of q merchantmen. They maintain that
the definition exists, and that it is to
be read into the Root rule deibarring
submarine attacks on merchantmen.
ROOT RULES AS ADOPTED