New-York tribune., 1921-11-26
London Terms
Brands
Open Affront
Alleged Reference to 'sSar-
dine Ships Held Insult
to Navy, and His Demands
Intended to Embarrass
Breach Worst in 3 Years
Demand Voiced for Lloyd
George to Answer French
Premier at Washington
By Arthur S. Draper


Copyright. 1921, New York Tribune inc
LONDON, Nov. 25.-The Frcnch
pollcy on armament as defined at
Washington by Premier BRAND con-
tlnues to occupy a prominent place in
discussions here, in and out of the
press. OF all the newspapers, only the
Northcliffe publications attempt to up-
hold the French Premier, and thew ara
hard put to explain away his reported
sarcastic reference to Britain's "sar-
dine" ships. Mr.. BRAND has denied
making this statement
Frances strongest friends here can
not escape what they consider Brands
gratuitous insult to the navy, and if
anything is calculated to send Premier
Lloyd George to Washington, in spite
of his difficult tasks at home, it is the
developments since the French Pre-
mjer's speech defending his country's
desire for strong army and navy.
However critical Britons may be of
their government, they never fail to
rally to it's support when it is assailed
from without
Cabinet Considers Statement
Correspondents of London news
ference feature to-day the pressing
need of Lloyd George in Washington,
and it can be stated authoritatively
that the Cabinet has given much con-
sideratiOn to Brands statements.
To say that the British and French
have reached the breaking point in the
relations that have developed between
them since August, 1914, is only an
other way of saying that the two coun-
tries have drifted further apart than
they have been at any time since the
treaty was signed at Versailles. To
appreciate the true situation it is nee
essary to recall various points of issue
which have arisen in the past eighteen
months.
Great Britain and France have failed
to see eye to eye regarding the occupa-
tion of the Ruhr region, the boundaries
Russia, and the trade agreement with
Russia, but in every case temporary
compromises have been made.
Resented Turkish Pact
Just before BRAND sailed for
America his government concluded a
treaty with the Turkish Nationalists,
and however practicable Frances de-
cision may have been, the British con-
tend that it was in direct violation of
an agreement and done with full
knowledge of the British attitude.
Then, at Washington, came Briand's
refusal to reduce the French army and
his sudden claim to the right to in
crease Frances naval forces.
Even in circles not normally un-
friendly to France, these last two acts
are interpreted as deliberate attempts
to embarrass Great Britain.
When Lord Curzon, the Foreign Sec
retary, who is the most conservative
member of the Lloyd George govern
ment, declares, as he did yesterday,
that at is not for Britain to accept or
submit to sacrifices while others pass
them by" it does not mean that the
British are going to quit the confer
ence. but that the government will
strive, even more than the Americans,
to make the conference success in
spite of the French distractions.
There are members of the govern
ment who might have stated Great
Britain's position in even more force
full language than that of the Foreign
Minister
No immediate deveropment is likely
here. When Premier BRAND returns
to Paris he will have to answer some
pointed questions in his own Par
lament, because some of his own coun-