The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-11-21
By GEORGE r. HOLMES

WASHINGTON, Nov. IL The
armament conference began the new
week today confronted with tasks far
more difficult than those already ac-
complished.
The first week cleared the atmos-
phere and brought the conflicting
views of the powers to the surface !;
the second brings the assembled d
statesmen face to face with the more
difficult job Of reconciling those d.
vergent views
While the naval experts and the po-
litical authorities of the far east are
thus engaged. The question OF lan7
srmaments may be laid away for an
Indefinite rest this week after Aris-
tide BRAND, the French premier, ex-
plains to waiting world. why France
considers it necessary to explain the
largest standing army in Europe.
France has been waiting impatient
ly for the spotlight since the confer
ence convened Today was her day.
1t was to be made a day of justifica-
tion for France. A day of chasing
away the belief from the minds of
other powers that France harbors I'm
perialistic designs in Europe and is
maintaining her army on war foot
Ing to realize them. To BRAND, her
picturesque and voluble premier. was
given the task of justifying France IN
the eyes of the world.
WHAT FRANCE WANTS.
France frankly wants the question
Of limiting armies placed on the shelf,
and il IS considered probable that she
will have her wish. Great Britain and
the United States have only a passive
interest in the question Of armies.
They both have cut their military
forces down to the bone, and both are
well defended against attack from
land forces Japan also has only an
academic interest in limiting armies.
French statesmen believe it would
be futile for this conference to at
tempt to deal with armies. when three
of the greatest powers participating
are but so Indirectly interested.
Of what avail is it. her spokesmen
contend, for this conference to deal
with armies, when the nations of con-
tlnental Europe which are maintaining
the greatest armies in the world ar
not represented and cannot be made
to observe the limitations agreed up
on here.
The greatest armies are maintained
by France, Italy. Jugo- -Slavia. Russia,
Poland and Greece. Only France and
Italy are represented around the
horseshoe table in Continental hall.
LEAVE 1T TO LEAGUE.
French spokesmen have pointed
out. too, that the League of Nations ls
endeavoring to wrestle with the mat
ter of dismantling the armies of the
world and that the league is a better
agency than this conference, because
all the countries having big armies,
are members.
Undoubtedly 1t would make speed If
the matter of land armaments were
shelved at the present conference
The powers could then devote their en-
tire time to the main purposes of the
meeting-limitation of naval arma-
ment and the adjustment Of Chinese
and far eastern affairs. Hence but
little opposition is to be expected If
France formally places before the
meeting a request that the question be |
laid away.
The adjustment of the capital ship |
ratio OF 5s-2 IS proceeding salts !
ractorily" according to spokesmen for |
the American delegation. japanese |
opposition to be relegaled to a so per |
cent basis has not entirely disappear
ed. but the confident belief was ex-
pressed today by authoritative Ameri- |
can sources that this opposition would /
be finally overcome this week. Great |
acceptance of the ratio has /
never been in quetsion, or in doubt
n is only In the matter Of auxiliary /
ships, submarines and cruisers, that /
the British have found fault with the |
American program.