Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1921, Page 2

Washington Conference.

UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS .1A PA X USE O PROS IT LON. , TOKIO, Dec. 28. in -he Diet, the Opposition opened an attack on the Government over the Washington conference results, hut without arousing popular interest. The first move was a resolution from the Independents denouncing the delegates tor not securing the popular views of Japan before entering into agreements.

So fin as the conference is concerned the new Premier appears safe, but he is lacking the late At. Haro’s political skdl, and some believe lie may fall on domestic issues.

Cabinet discussed the question of the inclusion of Japan proper within the scope of the Pacific entente. The division of opinion resulted in of the question to the diplomatic Advisory Council. This question is exciting small comment so far as the public are apparently indifferent. The newspaper ''Nielli Nichi Shimbun" announces the decision of the aimv authorities to reduce the standing strength by fifty thousand in 102:1 and also air economy campaign regarding the equipment of uniforms in order to provide anti-aircraft defences and other modern necessities. High officials have already indicated Japan may refuse to ratify the quadruple Pacific Treaty, unless reservations excluding home territories of signatory nations are adopted. Japan insists the Treaty shall be constructed to mean

protection of possessions alone

BRITAIN’S ALMS FRUSTRATED. WASHINGTON, Dee. 28.

The official report on the Naval Conference to-day states: At the opening of the meeting of tlie Committee on the Limitation of Naval Armaments, At. Snrraut (France) announced that, as a token of the goodwill of France, the French Cabinet has resolved to accept a reduction to 17"i,000 tons in her capital ships. France suggested a qualification of the naval holiday and allowing her to lay down at the beginning of 11P27 some Blips that would be intended 1 for the replacement of her 20-year-old vessels. He said the French Cabinet Supreme Council on National Defence had concluded it would be impossible to accept the limitation of the French submarines and auxiliary craft suggested to below 90.000 and 330,000 tons re- , speetively. That could, not be done! without imperilling the vital interests of their country. The French dele- | gates had been instructed to consent , to no concession- on these figures. Regret was expressed that Franco cannot carry out entirely the American proposals for French reductions and limitations. FURTHER REPORT. WASHINGTON. Dec. 23. It is officially reported that at this afternoon’s session, the discussion of a resolution regarding individual tonnage of ships and the calibre of the guns thereon, was postponed for the different delegations’ expressed approval, as they wanted to cnsult their Governments.

The chairman asked Mr E. Root to read the following resolutions dealing with the rules of warfare governing submarines:—

hirst The signatory Powers desiring to make more effective the rules adopted bv civilised nations for the protection of the lives of neutrals and noncombatants at sea during the time of war declare, among those rides, that the following shall he deemed established as part of International Law: (One) : A merchant vessel must be ordered to stop for visit and search to determine its character before it can be captured. Any merchant vessel must, not be attacked unless the crew and passengers are first placed in safety.

(Two) : Belligerent submarines are not. under any circumstances, exempt fiom the rules agove stated. If a submarine cannot capture a merchant vessel in conformity with these rules, the existing law of nations requires it to desist from attack. The signatory Powers invite the adherence of all other Powers thereto. Second.—The Signatory Powers, recognising the practical impossibility of using submarines as commerce destroyers, without violating requirements universally accepted by civilised nations declare their assent to the prohibiting of such use.

Third.—The signatory Powers further declare that any person in the service of any Power adopting these rules, who shall violate them, whether under orders or not, shall lie liable to be tried as a pirate. The delegates expressed sympathy with tlio resolutions.

Consideration of them, however, was postponed. Resolutions governing the tonnage, character and armament of airplane carriers were then submitted, suggesting that the maximum that each ship be allowed should be 27.000 tons, with guns not larger than eight inch. Lord Lee. Britain, made a proposition that no warship shall carry guns of a greater calibre than 16-inch. This was unanimously accepted. The meeting then adjourned.

BRITISH REPORT WASHINGTON, Bee. 28.

A special Australian Press report says: The French action here to-day has destroyed all chance of an agreement being reached at this conference on the submarine issue. An American delegate made this statement after the morning’s meeting of the committee. Franco demanded her right to build 90.000 tons of submarines and 330,000 tons of auxiliary craft. The demand was made by France positively. It was without any spirit' of concession, the impression left being that finality has been reached, and there will be no reopening of the question at this conference. Mr Balfour expressed regret at the French 1 stand. Mr Balfour then notified the committee that if France would not agree to a reduction of her (France’s) submarine tonnage, Britain insists on freedom for her to build as many submarines and auxiliary craft as she thought she wanted. Italy and Japan then followed BritaiiCi lend,

This leaves the capital ship ratio practically the sole result of the conference on naval limitation. Even in this matter, France suggests that she is entitled to special consideration She wants permission to start building in 1927, though her sEps would not be put into commission till the end of the naval holiday. There remain for consideration some subsidiary matters, such as the size and gun-power of cruisers and other minor matters, which the committee is now dealing with. . ~ . The report adds : • Undoubtedly the French, judging by various cables reaching here last week, hope to~% use their wrecking of the conference on - the submarine issue, to force Britain to consider an Atlantic pact and perhaps even the greater matter of a guarantee of their security in Europe.

FRANCE TRUSTS PUBLIC. WASHINGTON, Dec. 29. i M. Sarraut (France) announced to* ’ night that he was joining with the Bri- , tish delegates in asking for an open session to discuss submarines. He said the French delegates were tired of being attacked. They wanted to put the French case before the world’s public. France’s colonies, he said, had reserves of men, but required the submarines ’ and auxiliary craft to protect their 1 transportation in the event of another ’ war in' Europe.