Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-12-30
Arms Conference Seeks Agree
ment on Submarines and
Light Cruisers.
FRENCH DEMANDS THE CRUx
British Want U-Boat Abolished in
to Call for Commission on Re-
Mobilization of Central Europe
Henry Watterson Dies.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD

q UBMARINES, light cruisers and
~ torpedo boats occupied most of
the attention of the conference dele
gates and naval experts in Washing
ton during much of the week. The way
the controversy, if so it may be desig-
mated, developed, is interesting. First
France asked that she be allowed TO
have about 100000 tons of capital
ships, which would give her ratio
of 3.5 She said she wanted to build
from five to ten battleships, 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
cablegram Mr.. Hughes said:
81 feel that the suggestion that has
been made that France should build
ten capital ships in replacement with
a tonnage of 100000 tons or more sug-
gests a program of such magnitude as
to raise the greatest difficulties. In
fact, regret to say that after can
wasting the matter thoroughly and
taking the best information I can OBJ
tain, l am compelled to conclude that
ii would not be possible on this basis
to carry through the agreement"
BRAND at once sent instructions to
the delegation which permitted 1t to
recede from the demand concerning
capital ships and agree to the ratio OF
1.75 fixed by the conference, so far as
vessels of that class are concerned.
But. for purposes of national defense,
the French asked special cOnsidera-
ton in the matter of submarines ana
light cruisers. OF the former they
wished TO be allowed 10000 tons, and
of the latter 100000 tons. This, In the
aggregate. would give France an aux
iliary naval rating of about 90.
BRAND said France felt she must pro-
tect her three coasts, on the Atlanuc'
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
rould 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
q plenary session of the conference be
called so that he and his fellow deie-
gates could make their plea for TINS
in public. But the British STOOD alone
in tbis contention and it was predict
ed the conference would refuse TO out
law the undersea boats. However, the
Americans showed q disposition TO
COMPROMISE by accepting reduction
of the submarine tonnage ailoWeu
Great Britain and the United States.
This. as It stands. is 10000 tons Inc
British asked that at least 1t be cut
to 1900 tons. The Americans 1ndl-
Gated they might be satisfied with
75OO0-ton maximum. If this last hg-
ure is agreed upon It may operate TO
reduce Frances allowance, since that
is the tonnage she is asking.
president HARDING, while talk
Il ing to the correspondents Tuesday,
seems to have made slight slip which
caused a lot of excitement and sup
plied some ammunition to Borah,
Reed and other opponents of the four
power Pacific treaty, who assumed
there was division between the
President and the delegates in con-
STRUNG the agreement. Mr.. Harding
in his interview expressed the opinion