Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-29
WILL MEET SUB MENACE,
ENGLAND TELLS FRANCE
Balfour Tells Arms Conferences
Britain Will Also Continus
Aircraft Building.


Washington, Dec. 20. - Great
France for 10000 tons II submarines
and $50, 900 tons Of auxiliary craft r.
n notification 10 the world that she
reserves 2 free hand on The building
of all anti-subfnsfiuu craft That
Britain would take this line has long
been emphasized in previous despatch
90 IL means that apart from capital
ships Great Britain now holds herr
self free to meet the French subrna-
rine menace.
Arthur J Balfour minced no words
yesterday in telling the French that
his country could regard their demand
only as menace 10 her commerce.
There vac frmness and truly Bal
| fOurian irony IN HIS remarks before
| the Conference Committee. Tfe de-
seribed It as n very great menace"
70 his country, and ne had mo doubt
/ That II the occasion ever arose Brit
ain would be equal 10 H."
One Of the chief spokesfnen ~ The
British delegation said last night n
the French attitude: "It ls most
deplorable thing that any nation
should have taken up such a policy"
While actual construction by ths
French win probably to p large or-
tent guide the construction 0f anti
submarine craft in. British yards,
there WIFI In ali likelihood be no delay
in organizing the great fishing feet
Of steel steam trawlers into an anti
submarine unit for use in case p
necessity This was frankly stated
by a British informant.
II win also give the Government
an opportunity to ask for additional
appropriations for research work IN
connection with all anti-subrnsrins
devices. Tho British Admiralty in
the last budget was unable 10 sbtsin
as much money ss desired for re-
search work because the Government
could not convince the people that
there was very urgent necessity
for Il. The whole situation win ba
changed now. for public opinion. as
Mr. Balfour clearly told the French
= yesterday. win be aroused.
As result of the French proposal.
the British are not prepared vet -
assent to any proposal for limiting
aircraft carriers for IT is held that
they might become one of the most
effective weapons against submersi-
= bles.
At this time. when Anglo French
relations have become increasingly
delicate as result ~ tho separate
treaty The French made with the
I Anatolian Turks. and when tho di-
versence Of opinion on reparations has
only accentusted animosities in both
countries, the French submarine
building plan VIII have far-roach-
: ing effect In Great Britain. The view,
is exposed here last night tha,
Frances action win be death-blovy
20 any guarantee such as she Il now
seeking.
a Both Mr.. Balfour and Lord Leo
: have now tentatively set Jan. "a a.
o the date OF their departure bat sub.
. lect to change in the event the con.
- ference has not concluded lts work ai
& that time. Gen. Lord Cavan and al
the British military and air EXPERT.
n are sailing this week. the conferences
Q having failed to do anything on llmi.
. tation OF land armamepts. control OF
Z aircraft or on poison gas.
a Any ecceleration Of construction %,
Il anti-submarine craft will depend on
! the building programme of France
Y What Britain is likely 10 do at ones
s is 70 perfect her anti-subrnariue or.
i ganization and go forward with anti.
submarine devices.