The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-12-29
Arms Conference Seeks Agree
ment on Submarines and
Light Cruisers.
FRENCH DEMANDS THE CRUx
British Want U-eoat Abolished In
Warfsre-Allied Supreme Council
to Call for Commission on Re-
habilItation OF Central Europe
Henry watterson Dies.
BY EDWARD W. pIckARp

Q UBMARINES. light cruisers and
- torpedo boats occupied most Of
the attention Of the conference dele
gates, spd naval experts in Washing
ton during much OF the week. The way
the controversy. II so II may be desig-
mated. developed. is interesting. First
France asked that she be allowed to
have about 10000 tons Of capital
ships, which would give her a ratio
OF 35. She said she wanted to build
from Ave TO ten battleshlps. though
not at once, and supported her claim
by showing how her navy had been
neglected during the war. The other
delegates could not stand for this.
and Secretary Of State Hughes com
municated directly with Premier Bri-
and, who was IN London. In his
cahlegram Mr.. Hughes said:
II feel that the suggestion that has
been made that France should build
ten capital ships In replacement with
a tonnage OF 300 600 tons or more sug
gests a program Of such magnitude as
10 raise the greatest difficulties. In
fact. ! regret TO say that after can
vassing the matter thoroughly and
taking the best information can Oh
tain. ! am compelled to conclude that
II would not he possible on this basis
TO carry through the agreement"
BRAND at once sent Instructions to
the delegation which permitted II to
recede from the demand concerning
capital ships and agree to the ratio NJ
It's fxed by the conference, so far as
vessels of that class are concerned
But, for purposes Of national defense.
the French asked special considera-
tion In the matter Of submarines and
light cruisers. or the former they
wished to be allowed 75,OOO tons. and
Of the latter 3OO.OOO tons. This. In the
aggregate. would give France an aux
Hilary naval rating Of about 35.
BRAND said France felt she must pro
tect her three coasts. on the Atlantic.
the North sea and the Mediterranean.
and should have plenty Of light cruis-
ers because Germany Is permitted To
build ships OF that type He also In
timated that Russia might build YES
sells on the Baltic which Germany
could use against France. He vigor-
ously disclaimed any Idea that there
could be hostilities between France
and Great Britain.
Great Britain still insisted on the
total abolition Of the submarine In
warfare, and Mr.. Balfour asked that
O plenary session OF the conference he
called 50 that he and his fellow dele
gates could make their plea for this
In public. But the British stood alone
In this contention and II was predict
ed the conference would refuse 10 out
law the undersea hoats. However, the
Americans showed disposition TO
compromise by accepting a reduction
Of the submarine tonnage allowed
Great Britain and the United States.
This. as II stands. II 10000 tons. The
British asked that al least II be cut
90 45O00 tons. The Americans indi-
Gated they might he satisfied with q
fh6Gton maximum. n this last hg-
ure is agreed upon II may operate 10
reduce Frances allowance. since that
Is the tonnage she is asking.
npEsIDENT UARDIN0 wb,is t.IS.