Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-11

tionS regarding this problem VIII
days when the LuSitania was sun
It was the United States and Great
Britain for the abolition of submarines
and France and Japan for their reten-
ton, holding to their thesis that they
would not surrender this arm Of their
navies. Italy agreed in principle with
America and Great Britain, but with
reservations which would safeguard her
interests as compared with those OF
other powers.
After Prime Minister Macdonald had
formally opened the session, A. v. Alex
ander, first lord of the admiralty, rose
amid great silence and in measured
tones declared Great Britain's belief
that submarines should be wiped from
the navies Of the world. The French
and Japanese delegation listened with
particular intentneSs as he declared
with emotion that submerSibleS were
mot defensive, but inhuman offensive
weapons"
Great Britain, he said, wanted aboli-
ton, but II this could not be achieved.
then she stood for the humanizing of
submarine warfare and the limitation
Of size and numbers.
The first lord Of the admiralty APP
pealed to the other powers to accept
the proposal for adjustment in the in
terestS Of permanent peace.
Sttmson Presents Appeal.
The chief American delegate, Secre-
tary Of state Stimson, followed and be-
gan his address with one of those crisp
statements, for which he has become
famous among the naval conferees.
1.-THE American delegation is in favor
- AA - - -,,ka
Briefly he amplified this declaration
and later handed in a resolution calling
for the committee to study three ques-
tons:
!. Abolition of the submarine.
2. Regulation of use in wartime.
3. Regulation Of unit and size of
underSea craft.
In other words, he, like Mr.. Alexan-
der, opened the road for a compromise
with France who, 1t was known, would
agree to humanizing the submarine, but
would flatly refuse to accept abolition.
Then came Georges Laygues, French
minister of marine, and there was a
shifting In the seats by the other dele
gates to get a full view of Frances
spokesman.
Gives French Viewpoint.
In rapid Staccato sentences, NJ
Laygues declared that France declined
to abandon submarines. She considered
them necessary defensive weapons. They
are not offensive. He left no doubt
that his country was adamant in this
stand, but he rendered an olive branch
IN proposing that the committee study
the proposition for humanizing not only
submarine warfare, but the activities Of
all classes Of warshipS.
The speech of Dino Grandi, Italian
foreign minister, was a diplomatic re-
ITERATION OF her standpoint, which since
the beginning Of the conference has
been for naval equality with France,
Premier MuSSolini'S spokesman stated
that Italy did not object in principle
TO adjustment. but If submarines were
done away with all the powers must
participate and there also must be re.
duction in other categories of ships.
Admiral Takarabe, minister of marine.
speaking in meticulous Japanese, re-
lterated Japan's contention for her
need Of submarines.
Note Of Compromise.
So ended today's historic plenary
session and the general feeling among
the conferees was that it was notable
In that 1t had discussed a delicate ules-
ton and had still come through with a
note Of compromise in the air.
Prime Minister Macdonald, speaking
to newspaper men Immediately after
the session. declared that the greatest
achievement Of the conference thus far
was that five nations with separate nat
ural needs had conferred for three
weeks and had emerged at the end
more harmonious than when they
started.
There was general feeling that the
question Of submarines had now been
virtually settled for the present. The
committee will study the resolution and
out Of this study 1t is expected will