The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-12-20
View In Washington Is
That Fewer Capital
Ships and More Sub
Sea Craft Will Be Ac-
ceptable Brian d
Makes Another State
nlent

E1lG1G
Washington. Dec. 20.-(By the AS
sociated Press. Upon how far the
French delegates were disposed to
modify their original ten-ship con
struction proposal at the postponed
meeting of the naval committee ap-
peared to hang today the hopes of
the arms conference of a successful
conclusion of negotiations to reach a
iive-power naval limitation agree
ment.
According to the official spokesmen
of the French delegation it was ar
ranged at late conversation yester-
day between Secretary Hughes and
M Sarraut. head of that delegation.
that it should present to the commit
Tee the modified point of view of the
French government.
To, what extent the modified YER
sions may bring the French position
into line with the American proposal
is unknown as the day yesterday was
fun fof conflicting developments. The
concilliatory attitude of the French in
itself. however, was regarded by
American authorities as a long step
toward composition of the question
The French delegates went into the
conference today apparently retain
ing their requests in original form,
for 100000 tons of capital ship, and
what their new position might be is
not known.
The premier's instructions laid
down no definite course for the dele
cation to pursue, but it was under
stood it advised in substance a stand
for the higher ratio in submarine and
other small defensive craft in case of
acceptance of the lower percentage
in capital ships. This appeared to-
day to offer the most favorable basis
for solution of the problem.
Interview With BRAND
London, Dec 2O-(By the Associat-
ed Press. .)-"France has accepted
Secretary Hughes naval ratio for
capital ships and we are glad of the
relief it affords us" Mr. BRAND of
France is reported as declaring in an
interview with the Daily Mail. Re
garding secondary units, we are yet
uninformed respecting the six 10000
ton ships which Germany is allowed
to build under the Versailles treaty
We shall ask the Washington confer
ence to take this 3nsideration into
account"
NJ. BRAND repudiated the idea that
France wished to maintain the bur-
den of great land ornaments. especi-
ally as she had Just emerged from a
terrible war. "Fiut." he contended,
"the Wirth government in Germany
was weak and its very fragility COM
pels France to remain armed, for
there is no saying what government
may take its place tomorrow"
He declared he had never taken
very seriously the differences between
France and England in regard TO re-
parations, and was sure that a solu-
tion would he found. OF the Euro
pean situation in general he said:
Russia lis a question which Great
Britain and France should examine
together, but | fear the disorganiza-
ton of that vast country is greater
than is fnown Great Britain
and France must together undertake
the reconstruction of Europe. The
maintenance of peace is based solid
ly upon an entente cordiale. All diff
ferences between England and France
be settled by frank explanation
discussion"
Demand Plenary Session
yashington, Dec. 20.-0By the AS
lated Press.) )-The British delega-
n has formally asked that a
snary session of the Washington
inference be held tomorrow or
ursday in order that Great Britain
ny present its case for the abolition
1 the submarine.
While nd information was forth.
coming whether the request had or
would be granted, it was expected
tliat the session would be held Thurs
day.
Lord Lee. it was understood, as
head of the British admiralty, would
present the British case in a carefully
prepared statement dealing largely
with technical features.
Arthur J. Balfour, head of the Brit
ish delegation. probably will follow
. discussing general phases of sub
marine warfare. Whether there
would be general discussion of the
submarine question by other delegates
did not develop today, but 1t was ex-
pected that the other delegates wOuld