Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-20
FRENCH CRISIS WAS TOO
TRANSIToRY TO BE REAL
Problem Tells an instructive Tale Of
Hands Consciously OvernlaNed


LNRENCH acceptance of the naval ratio
Il originally laid down by Secretary
Hughes reduces n showy collection Of fire.
works to the condition of damp, descending
skyrockets.
The result is naturally bewidcring to the
agonists, sunk to the delights Of extreme
depression only three days ago. If accom-
modations are so swiftly to be the sequel
of crises, the authenticity of Conference
clashes is laid open to suspicion. In the
present instance, indeed, it may we'll be
questioned.
Such inquiry does not discount the fact
that French naval demands caused dis
tinct anxiety in Washington at the end Of
last week But the preposterous nature Of
the teclers' put out was in itself proof
that the situation could not be fairly judged
by externals.
The practice Of Ovcrstating conflicting
sides Of a controversy IS not uncommon
among either nations or individuals. Those,
Americans who are inclined to shver when
ever marked differences of opinion occur in
the armament conclave apparently closed
their minds to the lessons Of some other mo-
mentOuS conferences.
All parties to the Constitutional Conven-
tion Of 1857 overplayed their hands. The
consequences when all the pyrotcchnics had
been discharged were the three great COM
promises. without which this Union, in all
probability, never could have been formed.
The small States. nervous and distressed,
won the uniform senatorial apportlonment
concession. The basis Of representation
quarrel between the Northern and Southern
delegates was settled for some seventy years
by the three tifths rating for slaves, and the
congressional control over foreign and inter-
state commerce was established by extend
ing the slave trade permit until 1908.
And even with these adjustments the ses-
sions continued for some time to be strainse.
Rhode Island took no part in them. The
New York delegates went home in anger.
1t is Idle of course, to maintain that
these ruCtiOns we're wholly spurious or that
the modern specimens lately on view in
Washington were purely thcatrc. France,
it is certain, has bargain to negotiate
which she hopes to conclude as advan-
tageously to herself as possible, but it Is
scarcely conceivable that infatuation for
huge and costly navy supplied the undcrly-
ing motive for her tactiE.
The influence Of outstanding problems
closely involving France and Great Britain
has obviously been pronounced. Adjust
ment of the reparations question fore
shadowcd in the impending meeting of
BRAND and Lloyd George is virtually sure
to exert some bearing upon proceedings in
Washington.
The French have also the Near Eastern
muddle on their hands, complicated by their
new treaty with the Turkish Nationalists.
The rapidity with which the fleet
demands" have been recalled is evidence
that they were being used as leverage.
There is every indication that Secretary
Hughes was fully in touch with the intrica-
CiCs Of the case. There were strong Amer
ican cards to be played. including especially
those setting forth possible jeopardy to sym
pathetic relations with France. The pres
ent French Government, whatever its ambi-
tions, has no desire to wreck the historic
good feeling Of more than a century. Eco
nomic and financial conditions also strongly
support the American contentious.
The accord dramatically reached follow
ing the visit Of Ambassador Harvey to Pre-
micr BRAND in London, is a most hopeful
uugury Of the establishment Of a genuine
program Of disarmament.
As now outlined the prospect appears to
be ratios of 5-J-3-1 70-1 .6S for the United
States, Great Britain, Japan, France and
Italy, respectively. This will mean that
within the next ten years the total tonnage
of France in capital ships will be increased
from 1914 900 to 900, n trhing acces-
sion. She had tentatively asked for $50 900
tons.
The submarine question remains unde-
termined. There are hints that on this
point France and the United States may
be found favoring the under-sea arm in
opposition to the attitude of Great Britain,
which favors its great reduction or total
abolition. Thus another factor in the
capital ship ratio harmony may be scnscd.
In private as in international affairs,
swapping Of assets and matching of re-
sources are likely to continue for some time,
even in a world dedicated to peace. Reside
the splcndor Of five Power compact pledg-
ing its parties to drastic naval reductions
and limitations, the bartering methods dis
played in attaining such a result would
shrink into relative insignifcance.
There will be new crises before the ses-
sions close. Patience and concentration on
Il practical ideal in sight may be recon-
mended as antidotes to nervousness.