New Britain herald., 1925-05-08
JAPAN JOINS U. 5. IN GAS EXPORT BAN
MatSuda Heartily Agrees With
 Resolution by Burton
ENGLAND CAUSES SURPRISE
Delegates At Geneva Upset By Brit ish Declaration Excluding Traffic In AIrplancs and Tanks From Con uoI of Nations.
EY Tha Associathd Prnsn

uoI of Nations.
 By The Associated Press
 Geneva, May S.--Japan went on record today as favoring a strict in terdiction of the use of poison gas In war.
 D. Matsuda, Japanese delegate 10 the league of nations international conference for the control of traf- tic in arms and munitions, made this declaration in speech ardently sup porting the proposal made yesterday by Representative Theodore F. Bur ton, of Ohio. head of the American delegation, that all export of poison gas for use in war be prohibited.
 The American proposal was re- terred to two b-committees, mili- tary and juridical. The Polish amendment condemning the use of disease bacteria in warfare was re- fcrrcd to the same committees. MT. Matsuda said that Japan Is already a party 10 the poison gas agreement made during the Wash ington arms conference, and avowed that in prohibiting the exportation of poison gas for war purposes it should also be understood that such methods of warfare are forbidden by international law. He urged the le- gal committee to take up this as- pect of the problem thoroughly. The Turkish delegation heartily supported the American proposal but agreed with the Hungarian dele gstion that the rights of states that do not manufacture gas to employ gas if they are so attacked should be respected, and their opportunity for defense should not be removed by too rigid a ban on exportation. British stand Causes Confusion
 "We are confused" was the con- ment of one delegate to the inter rational conference on control of I the trade in arms and munitions to- day regarding the British proposal | that warships be omitted from the list Of armaments subject to control. This feeling of confusion was ap- parently shared by many of the ether delegates, who learned only . this morning of the sensational de- . rolopment at last nights secret ses- sion Of the conference committee on military, naval and air matters.
 Rear Admiral Aubrey Smith told the committee that his country fav- cred taking war vessels out of the category of armamcDts which would be subjected, under the present draft convention, to 8 system of H. cense when sold by one country to another
 The conference, he argued, had been called not to reduce armaments | hut to prevent illicit trade in them, and especially 10 throw the light Of publicity upon their sale. 1t was II possible to conceal the sale of a r warshlp, and therefore inclusion of these vessels among the articles to be supervised was unnecessary.
 The British view was supported I by Japan and Italy; in fact the rep cscntatives of no nation present op- < posed it. but the French said later they desired to think it over. The American experts took no part In # the discussions.
 Delegates who are not arms cx- ports expressed considerable as- enlistment that an exception should
 a sought for such q vital branch If armamcnts as warships, and yet ron'rol for artillery he matnt1ined
 Airplancs and Tanks Included
 Tie records Of the lcaCuc show hat at a private meeting March a. &I?e4. Of the loagues sub-commis- aon which prepared inc basis for he present conference. Colonel
 owe. British expert. requosted hat not only warshirs but airships ind airplaues for war usc and tanks ,nl armored automobiles b. cxclud- l from armamcnts whose traffic would bo subject 10 control
 tTSNiDS SNtut0 Ne CEcFIlt'Ii nc Faid, because their transfer was al- 'ays a mattrr qf public knowledge With regard to aircraft. tanks and rmored cars, he said it was impos- ible 10 distinguish between those intended fer war and the ones made Tor comm ercial use.
 General soskoRsld. Of Poland. vas l"cted president of the suh-com- mission 10 which tho American pro Prosal 10 prohibit export Of poison
 las for war purposes was referred. he committee adjourned without
 cing upon tha American proposal
 md did not fix the date of its next 7oe'ing.
 Rear Admiral Andrew T. Long
 l General C. L. RuEgIes are the
 mcrican members ot a committee
 technical experts appointed 10
 ansdcr the British proposal 10 OK rart warships from the proposed
 imitation of traffic in arms.
 Trenrb Evfited hv Rriftsh