The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-07
COMPLETES PLAN
FOR SUPPRESSION
U-BOAT TERRORS
Five Power Contract Approved
by the Armament Committee
Of the Conference.
ANTI-GAS MEASURE
is ALSO TAKEN UP
Italy Promptly Endorsed the
Project as Real Step in
Path Of Civilization.
tBy Ths AssocIated Pressl


WASHINGTON. Jan. s.--A five
power contract to impose the age-old
penalties for piracy against naval
commanders who violate accepted
laws of naval warfare was approved
today by the armament committee OF
the Washington conference. 1t COM
pleted the Root formula for suppress
sion of U-boat terrorism at sea and
the committee then moved forward to-
ward prescription Of gas warfare on
sea or land,
Again Mr.. Root drew the resolution
to effect the prohibition. Again an
immediate five-power contract to
abandon gas or other similar chemical
weapons as beyond the pale of human
tolerance is proposed. to be worked
later by world agreement into the
fabric OF international law And again
II seemed certain that under Ameri-
can initiative, war in future would be
stripped OF others OF the horrors Ger
man ingenuity let loose upon the
world
Italy gave prompt adhesion to the
anti-gas project as "a real step in the
path OF progress and civilization
.ilj0urnmeut or the Gommittee pre-
vented the views OF other delegations
from being presented. but all We're
said to favor the ban on gas warfare.
As the naval experts shaping tech
nical questions in tho naval Limitation
sections Of the forthcoming treaty still
were wrangling over definitions to
make clear the agreement they have
already reached. the armament COM
mittee adjourned on call. The navy
men toiled all day in the hope OF con-
Guiding tonight. but without success.
They will complete their work tomor-
row. however, and the full committee
! will be I'm a position to resume Mon
day with the way cleared for quick
framing OF the naval limitation treaty
and its omnibus burden OF allies. pacts,
understandings and declarations
Secretary Hughes called UP the
poison gas subject presenting first the
report Of the suhcommittee appoint
TO deal with new agencies Of war.
II showed q disagreement among the
experts who considered the subject on
the question as to whether gas war;
fare should be wholly abolished There
was, however the report said, agree
ment IN the subcommittee on certain
points. reached "nore or less unani-
mously.r Tho points Of agreement
with necessary notifications included
the statements that no nation dared
risk an agreement which might pre-
vent its preparedness to deal with IAN
unscrupulous enemy" who might re-
sort to gas warfare; that attempted
prohibition OF such warfare might
cause Observation-Disclosures since many
high explosives used in shells produce
gas fatalities although not intended as
gas shells, which might lead to the
charge that gas was being used and
retaliation.
That restriction OF research for new
war gases is not practicable
That restriction Of manufacture OIL
potential gas supplies is not practic-
able for economic reasons.
That while it was possible TO "con-
fine the action OF chemical warfare
gases the same as high explosives and
other means of carrying on war" there
Was disagreement among the experts
az to the difficulties Of carrying this
ont. there being "iess doubt as to the
ability to confine these gases among
the Japanese and Italians who know
less about them. than among the
American British and French experts
thoroughly acquainted with chemical
warfare gases"
That limitation OF kinds Of gases
through their effects on human beings
was not possible only limitation as to
the use Of gas against cities or other
civil communities and freedom in their
employment against armed enemy
forces being practicable.
That the committee was divided as
ITO whether gas warfare was similar TO
my other weapon Of war. again the
ritish. American and French repre-
'sentatives who know gas" holding
emphatically to the view that chemi-
cal warfare gases form method OF
waging war similar to the older
forms"
Mr.. Hughes said the American dele
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