Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-07
five POWERS TO
ENFORCE PIRACY
LAWS ON SUBS
Agree to Suppress Vio-
lators Accepted Rules
of Naval Warfare
Proposal to Abandon Chemical
Warfare Comes Next-Gen.
eral Concensus Of Opinion
Eavors Scrapping Gas As
WeapOn-RoOt Formula Is
Rearranged

Washington. Jan. 6-(By A. P)--
! A five power contract to impose the
age old penalties for piracy against
naval commanders who violate ac-
cepted laws OF naval warfare was
approved today by the armament
committee of the Washington con-
ference. 1t completed the Root for
mula for suppression of C-boat ter
rorism at sea, and the committee
then moved forward toward pro-
| scription OF gas warfare on sea or
land. Again Mr.. Root drew the
! resolution to effect the prohibition.
F.: An immediate five power contract
| to abandon gas or other similar
chemical weapons as beyond the pale
! of humane tolerance IL proposed. To
be worked out later by the world
agreement in the fabric of lntcrna-
tional law. And again 10 seemed
certain that under American initia-
tive war in future would be stripped
OF others of the horrors German in
county let loose upon the world.
Italy gave prompt adhesion to the
anit-sas project as "a real step IN
the path OF progress and civiliza-
ton" Adjournment OF the commit
tee prevented the views Of other
delegations from being presented. but
all were said TO favor the ban on gas
warfare
As the naval experts shaping
technical questions in the naval Iimi-
tation sections OF the forthcoming
treaty still were wrangling over
definitions to make clear OF IN.
agreements they have already
reached. the armament committee
adjournment on call
The navy men toiled all day I'm the
hope OF concluding tonight but with
out success. They will complet.
their work tomorrow. however, and
the full committee will be in q posi-
ton to resume Monday with the way
cleared for quick framing OF the
naval limitation treaty and its bur
den OF allied pacts, understa ndings
and declarations.
1t was not definitely decided to-
night whether the anti-g gas declara
ton was to be Incorporated in the
>oluminois treaty that will be re-
quired to cover the naval under
standings. II may be put forth rs a
separate product OF the conference,
II final approval is given the Root
prohibitory resolution. II seemed
more likely. however. that u would
go into the general treaty. soon TO be
laid before the armament commit.
tee for final action.
There was a Encouragement today
OF the Root formula for curbing sub
marine operations against merchant
craft.
Through acceptance OF tho piracy
rule modified so az TO apply 10 all ma
val commanders and not alone 10 com.
manders of submarines as original,
drawn. the committee passed to tao
poison gas discussion.
The general board" the report
says, believes IL sound policy 10 pro
hibit gas warfare in every form and
against every objective. and so rec
ommcnds"
In view OF these reports. NJ.
Hughes said. the American delegation
felt 1t should recommend nbsoiuic
prohibition Of the use In war OF a..
phyxiating or ponson gases lie asked
Mr.. Root to present such resolution.
Mr.. Root called attention 60 "the
most extraordinary consensus or opin-
ion that one could well md upon any
International subject" as shown IN
these American reports favoring aboi-
ishment of gas warfare. The definition.
he said. could not disregard IL. and he
called attention to the Yact that he had
drafted his resolution In the ianguB-,
of the treaty OF Versailles on the sub
ject TO whomever five powers repre-
scented in Washington had su, scribeh
and which had been incorporated h
the fifth-the United States-in th.
treaty recently concluded with Ge,
many. lie read article III OF the Vcr-
sallles treaty on the point. then read
his resolution.
THE use in war OF asphykiatlux.
poisonous or alagous liquids or ma
terials or devices hrTlng beer Justly
condemned by the general opinion %
the civilized world and a Prohibition of
such use having been declared IN trea-
ties to which majority OF the civ.'-
lied powers are parties"
Now to the end that this rrohibi'
ticn shall be universally accepted a.
international law bind 100 ~'te
the conscience and practice OF ma
fions. the sig. tory powers Gec!Gr"
their assent to such prohibition age"
Il be bound thereby between ther-
selves. and invi all other civilized Ia
Ii MS to adhere thereto"
The midday adjournment deferred
final action.