New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
conference Committee
Adiourns Until To-mor-
row i'm Expectation No
Crisis Will Eventuate
Politics Suggested
In Hint From Paris
Demand for Ten Vessels
May Be Traded for Brit
ish Security Guaranty
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.--In vigorous
terms the French members Of the naval
committee of fifteen were told to-day
that Franco by it's suggested naval
building program was threatening the
success OF the armament limitation con-
ference. After today's meeting, at
which France, through NJ. Sarraut, de-
Tended its position, and the position
was attacked by virtually every other
country, NJ. Sarraut cabled to Paris for
Instructions.
With the understanding that cables
would be sent, the committee adjourned
until Monday. There is great conf
dence here tonight, especially in view
Of some private advices from Paris,
tass the answer Of the French govern
neat will be such that the menace to
tic naval armament limitation agree
ment will be removed.
Pressure on Britain Hinted
There is still much mystery sur
rounding the reasons actuating
Frances idea of being allotted ten new
hattleships which would cost S400, ,OO0,-
900 American money. A cable received
here to-day said a French magazine
article concluded with the statement
hat this drive of tie French for big
navy would be very annoying to the
British, ebut that it would disappear
into thin air if the British would only
agree to conclude a treaty with France
guaranteeing her against German ag-
gression.
The British Parliament already has
approved such treaty, but with the
expressed reservation that il is efTec-
tive only in the event that the United
States joins in the guaranty.
he French, it is said nov under
stand clearly that the United States
will make no. such guaranty. M. Briand,
the French Premier, Stated repeatedly
while here that he understood this
country would never conclude such a
treaty. Therefore, the logic of this
French magazine article, which has
aroused intense interest here, is that
France now wants Britain to make the
guaranty alone.
The theory of this is that the British
have been contending all along, ever
since the French made their proposal
mat they should be permitted to build
aslarge fleet of submarines, that France
had no enemy on the Atlantic and
therefore she could be building the
submarines only against British COM
nerce.
Concession for Guaranty
The French, it is hinted, may now
turn this contention to their own pur-
poses, saying to the English: Cali
right, you give us guaranty of pro-
lection if we are attacked, and we will
not build this feet we have been talk
ing about
Incidentally, if the British in Wash
iagton have registered the changes in
emotion and feeling OF Downing Street
correctly. there is no eager desire in
The British Foreign Office to give such
guaranty. The British here have
seen irrtated beyond measure by event
after event, beginning on the second
open session. when BRAND IL his ora
ton did not mention the part England
had taken in aiding France when she
was attacked by Germany. Then the
British were rritated at this sugges-
uon OF big feet of submarines. Now
comes this talk of feet of ten French
oastleships. and the British are indig-
aaut and scornful.
DO the British are not in mood to
eompiy with French requests, which
perhaps the French realize. as most
OBSERVERS here believe that in view of
yne apparent French strategy the
french have decided to force Britain
% . 40 this thing by French threat at
british sea supremacy-if not a threat
Y the While policy of amicably limit
Continued on next psse)