The New York herald., 1921-12-19
FUTURE OF ENTENTE
WILL Be UNDER TEST
OF PREMIERS TODAY
Lloyd George to Insist on
British Naval Supremacy
in Europe.
HARVEY VISITS BRAND
Britain Wants to Check French
Military Expenses-Rep-
aratiOns the Issue.
HARVEY VISITS BRAND

LONDON. Dec. 19-Monday (As-
sociated Press).-George Harvey, the
American Ambassador, at a late hour
last night visited Premier BRAND at
the Hotel where NJ BRAND is stop
ping In London, says the Times this
morning. The newspaper adds that
the Ambassador and the Premier were
together for some time.
Special Gable TO THE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1921 by THE New YoaK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, Dec. rs.
The French naval demands as pre-
sented at the Washington conference
will be one OF the earliest points to be
taken up in the discussions between
Premier BRAND and Mr. Lloyd George
at their conference which opens here
at III o'clock tomorrow morning, be-
cause. quite aside from world limita-
tion of armaments, this subject bears
indirectly on the reparations question.
The French Government is prepared
seriously to consider O reduction of
the allied forces on the Rhine in order
that more money will be available for
reparations. IL Great Britain offers an
absolute guaranty in case of future
German aggression. This Great Brit
ain VIII he reluctant to give unless, as
Mr.. LLOYD George will point out,
France lines up with the Washington
spirit and recognizes British naval
supremacy in European waters sufH-
ciently to waive provocative naval
building.
WouId Not Need Large Navy.
The British hold that any such
guaranty goes further than the repa-
rations question and will stress the
point that If such a guaranty is given
France will not need an extensive
navy and therefore need not press her
demands at Washington.
Mr.. Lloyd George on this side will
carry on Mr. Balfour's work in America
for the success OF the naval agreement.
The British would welcome a partial
withdrawal of troops from the Rhine
land. but when a guaranty to the French
IS mentioned 1t is pointed out in official
circles that the French naval demands
are n serious annoyance. Both officials
and the press regard any naval extern
sion on the part of France as a menace
to Great Britain, since aside from the
British navy there Is nothing in Euro
pean waters that France needs 70 fear.
II is therefore hoped In Whitehall that
the conversations OF the Premiers will
result In important notifications OF the
French demands at Washington, and 1t
Is believed that Mr. Balfour has been
informed to await instructions.
Loucheur with Briand.
Premier BRAND arrived here this eve
ming with Louis Loucheur, Philippe
Berthelot, permanent secretary at the
Foreign office: Count st. Aulaire
French Ambassador IN London. and a
number of experts and went to the
Hotel Carlton. lie expects to remain
until Friday.
The conversation between the Prem
iers will be of the usual informal
nature. such as those which precede the
plenary meetings of the Supreme Coun-
Gil. which will meet within the next few
weeks. since the allied policy must be
made known to Germany before January
Is. The Immediate subjects Of discus
sion AS regards roparstions are the
August financial agreement between
France and England and the Weis-
baden agreement.
Mr.. Lloyd Georges first object will
be to obtain a clear understanding as
to how far France Is prepared to 20 TO
meet the financial problems involved.
When Louis Loucheur French Minister
OF tho Liberated Regions, visited Mr.
Lloyd George last week there resulted
au impression of great good will. and
the problem this week will be to trans
late this good will into terms of gold
marks.
SgunriDg of Interests.
Tho French arc expected to urge
trf. t.sa ,..V trt. Of hDr-