The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-12-23
U. S. MAY Use DEBT
LEVER ON FRANCE
Insistance On Large Navy
May Bring Demand To
Repay Loans.
BY Robert J. Prev.
I'm Louisville Herald.D


the sensation of the conference today
Senator Sarraut entered protest
against the publicity given by the
British to his demands. In the com.
mittee on naval ornaments he con-
tinued to defend the French case
Az the same time he stood pat on
the plan to build fleet of $4,000
tons within the next fifteen years.
From the American delegation II
was learned after the meeting that
Senator Sarraut is now awaiting lad
vices" from Paris.
Tonight the situation remains the
gravest that has yet arisen here be-
cause nothing less than the complete
breakdown of the conference effort
to prevent limitation of ornaments is
one of its possibilities.
Before the naval COMMITTEES met to-
day, Secretary Hughes. Arthur Bal
four and Baron Schanzer met in pri-
vate conversation. ScEanzer was
asked what he proposed to do about
the French position. He replied that
he intended to fight it vigorously be-
cause it would involve Italy in the
expenditure of nearly hais a billion
dollars in oder to build up To the
French strength and this his coun-
try ie neither willing nor aple to do.
Hughes then requested him TO re-
fratn frol. 'a.king until other efforts
had been made to work out salts
factory settlemet.
War Debt COunter-PrOpOsai.
Out of the controversy provoked
by France there now arises in off
cial American minds the question Of
war debts.
If France persists IN her clam to
a fleet stronger than that of Japan.
the United States administration will
propose that she Immediately take
under consideration the payment of
interest on her war Indebtedness, ii
was learned today. That much lies
in the background. To state posi-
lively that it had yet beeu put &c the
French delegation as the method
whereby the United States would
counter Frances naval ambitions
would be to misrepresent the spirit
in which Secretary Hughes is con-
Quoting the present negotiations. Ills
position is that he wants to he eutire-
~ fair and give the French delega- !
ton a reasonable opportunity to show
cause why France should again start
the great powers off on another ar
mament race.
But there is enough talk going on
privately among the visiting delega-
tons to show that Secretary Hughes
will not hesitate to play the Ameri-
can trump card of war Indebtedness If
Senator Sarraut does not drop the
big navy scheme jointly outlined by
himself and Admiral De Bon.
What is known positively is that
European Indebtedness is now very
much in the minds of officials of the
This week the Am
erican ambassadors in London, Paris
and Rome reported on the financial
situation of each of the countries to
which they are respectively aecredit-
ed.
Col. George Harvey went to David
LLOYD George and asked him what
interest payments American might
expect in the ensuing fiscal year. The
British premier replied that the
question was a difficult one to an
swer. but indicated that there is not
much likelihood of Great Britain meet
ing her obligations in full for the
The ambassador has just
reported this conversation to the
State Department.
Ambassador Herrick obtained and
has reported an even clearer state
ment from Paris to the effect that 1t
is hopeless for America to expect the
payment Of any interest or principal
in the ensuing fiscal year.
At Rome Ambassador Childs found
the Italian government totally unable
to make any payments whatsoever
but he was furnished with hint that
italy ought to be given ninety-nine
years in which to liQuidate her debts,
Sarraut's contention in the Com
mittee on Naval Armaments is that
because France is one of the great
powers she can not have small fleet,
He states that In order to demon
strate that she is a great force IN
world affairs France must maintain
her historical position as a great La
val power. Such a view, however,
wins no sympathy from any one dele
CATION here. Even in the Freneh
delegation itself there is a wide di-
yergence OF opinion as TO the wisdom
Of the step taken by Senator Sarraut
and taken undoubtedly at the insti-
49,, - nriand and NiViani AM