Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-29
Abolition or Restricted Use of
Submarine Is Suggested by
Secretary Stimson in Radio
Address on Conference.
DELEGATIONS PREPARE
FOR SESSION TOMORROW
France and italy Temporarily Sus-
pend Their Dispute Over Italian
Claim for Parity With Most
Powerful Navy of Continental
Europe.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, January 29.-Draft-
ing of humanitarian code for
the conduct of sea warfare, with
particular reference to subma-
rines, was under consideration to-
day as one of the possible tasks of
the Naval Conference.
AS conversations between the
national delegations proceed in
preparation for tomorrow's pie
nary session it was disclosed there
was a strong disposition in some
quarters to include discussion of
humanizing naval warfare in the
conference agenda.
Reference of Col. Henry L.
Stimson, American Secretary of
State and delegation head, in his
radio address last night to the
United States to this subject at
tracted wide attention. Col. Slim
son said that If abolition of the
submarine was impossible the
United States hoped to restrict its
use. It was understood the
French would like to go even fur
ther and draft a code covering
other types Of warships.
There was no expectation In informed
circles that the abolition of submarines
would be possible or that any code of
sea conduct broad enough to deal COM
prehensively with the old question Of
freedom Of the seas" could be adopted.
Foresee New Laws.
Nevertheless some Of the delegates
saw q likelihood of important new pre-
cepts on the use Of naval vessels being
written into international law at the
The Americans were unwilling to en-
large upon what the Secretary Of State
said In his radio address.
Col. and Mrs. StimSon had q lunch
con engagement with Prime Minister
Macdonald and Miss Ishbel Macdonald
at No. 10 Downing street. Neither COM
mittee meeting or plenary session Of
the conference was scheduled.
At Mr.. Macdcnald's request Col Slim
son arranged TO meet him at $50 pm.
In his ofices at the House Of Commons.
Prepare for Session.
With a continued round-robin Of
private conferences and consultations,
all delegations today made extensive
preparations for tomorrow'S important
session at st. James Palace
Out Of all these scattered meetings
there came continuing assurances of
progress. although all delegations were
extremely cautious about disclosing de-
tails. A concensus Of statements from
the five delegation headquarters indi-
Gated that in the week since the con-
ference convened the following seemed
today to have been or about to be ac-
complished.
First, and of primary importance,
the British and French have approached
. compromise combining the global and
categorical methods Of measuring ma
vies so that each nation viii be all
lotted total tonnage which she may
distribute more or less as she sees ut
This viii be discussed at tomorroW's
plenary session with prospects of gen
eral acceptance.
Second, France and Italy Temperate
ly have suspended their disagreement
over the Italian claim to a navy as
large as the French, but with the I'M
Outstanding the Italian delegation will
have an opportunity tomorrow to ex-
pand further her thesis Of parity.
Americans Make Progress.
Third, the Americans, remaining
aloof from these difficulties, have made
substantial progress with their efforts
to have cruisers considered first when
ship classes are finally taken up.
Fourth, under American leadership
the conference has determined to throw
open all its plenary sessions to the press
Of the world.
Perhaps TO this list should be added
the general accomplishment of having
brought the conference through its
initial week without an important diplo-
matte encounter save only the Franco
italian disagreement over parity.
Especially In recent weeks the con-
ference powers have realized it would
be easy to stir sensitive national emo
tons at the very outset by muddyine
the 'aters of international Cancellation
The Americans and British, following
the behest of President Hoover and
Premier Macdonald, particularly have
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