The Washington herald., 1922-01-08
new PROBLEMS UP
Naval Committee Seeks
To Set Number, Charac-
ter and Use of Aircraft.
ROOT RESOLUTION
IAN ACHIEVEMENT"
Prince Tokugawa Takes
Leave Amid Express
sions of Regret.

Inc haNdl ARMAMENT conference
continues to make material strides
forward Yesterday the naval COM
mittee officially approved the Root
resolution which will bar the use
of poison gas in warfare of the fu-
ture. II then took up discussion of
limitation of aircraft as to num-
hers, character and use, but at the
outset developed differences of
opinion which will make II essential
that there be much discussion of
the subject. AS a result final de-
cision on this subject went over
until Monday.
So soon as this was disposed of
Secretary Hughes and the Chinese
delegation informally discussed the
Shantung problem. Later the Chi
nese delegation explained its side
Of the case to Mr.. Balfour. of the
British delegation. It lis up to
Messrs- Hughes and Balfour to me-
diate the moot questions growing
cut Of Shantung. They seemed very
confident last night that they
would be able to suggest a real So
luton
Tokugawa Takes Leave.
armament met yesterday Irince
Tokugawa, chairman of the Jap
anese delegation, was recognized.
He said: ...
Il am leaving for home today to
assume my parliamentary respon-
sfbf1ities- 1t is needless for me to
say how greatly l appreciate the
courtesies and consideration which
I have received and the spirit Of
corporation on the part of my col
leagues encountered. That which
the conference has already accom-
pnshed has been successful, its full
Accomplishment Is not yet com
pietsd- In bidding adieu to my col
leagues I desire to state that ]
VIII always remember with graft
tade and pride the privileges il has
been 10 sit with them at the con-
ference and I hope and trust that
our paths might meet again.
Secretary Hughes said that he
was sure they all would deeply re-
Kret that Prince Tokugawa had to
leave them They were indebted to
him for his cooperation and he
might be assured of their abiding
affection and esteem. He was Ieav-
ing them the most pleasant memo
ries of his association with them
in this important work and the
contribution that he had made per-
sonally to the success of their ef-
forts.
Gas Resolution Read.
The chairman, Mr.. Hughes, then
read the gas prohibition resolution
as follows.
The use in war of asphyxiating,
poisonous or other gases and all
analogous liquids, materials or de-
vices having been justly con-
demned by the general opinion of
the civilized world and a prohibi-
tion of such use having been de-
clared in treaties to which a ma
jority of the civilized powers are
parties.
Now to the end that this prohi-
bition shall be universally accepted
as a part of international law bind
ing alike the conscience and prac-
tice of nations, the signatory pow
ers declare their assent to such
prohibition. agree to be bound
thereby between themselves and in
vite all other civilized nations. to
adhere thereto"
On behalf of the French deIega-
tion Senator Sarraut indorsed the
Root resolution. From the first OF
the late war, he said, France has
condemned the barbarous practice IN
the use of gas. burning liquids and
poisonous substances. Such use or
weapons of this character. he de-
clared, is Infamous.
Continuing. he said: The reports
of experts who have maturely con-
sidered the question have indeed
a.
IL not impossibility, of taking prac-
teal precautions against the threat
and the use Of these poison gases
and chemicals. 1t is an established
and indisputable fact that chemi-
calls that are used in the manufac-
ture of gases and poisons are the
same that are used for innumerable e
ordinary substances necessary to
the Industrial and peaceful life Of
the human race.
Held Useful Accom- plI.hment.
The reports of experts have es-
tabllshed the impossibility of ex-
ercising an effective supervision
over the production of gases which
may be used as weapons of war
and hence the impossibility of pre-
venting or limiting such produc-
ton. This as a logical consequence
entails the impossibility of pre-
venting any country whatever
from arming itself in advance
against the unfair use of those
gases which an INSCRIPTIONS enemy
might secretly prepare for sudden
use upon an unprotected enemy
as wa have seen done during the
late war.
But. If the exercise of au-
thority in the matter does not at
the moment appear practicable the
Root resolution Is none the less
useful accomplishments; in the first
place because IL will be a bond
Of union between the powers here
represented and further because
thefr agreement and their example
may be such as to bring about the
adherence of all the nations to
the same principles. But. mean
while, we have here presented a
grand example possessing a not in
considerable persuasive power and
thus. IL may be, preventing the
repetition of certain atrocities
CoHftnged an PQQs THo