Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-12-22
FRANCE IS firm
FOR HUGE NAVY
Delegate Sarraut Is Surprised at
the Emotion" Caused
by Demand.
OTHERS ASTONISHED AT Him
Paris Sends mi-Offcial Announce.
ment That France Is Opposed to
Abolition of Submarnes--Want
Fleet as Big as Japan's.

washington, dec. lS.--lne uetuanu
of the French government for a naval
rating higher than Japan's and the
right to construct ten 35,000-ton post
Jutland dreadnaughts by 1888, which
conference, stands unaltered and con-
tinues TO bewilder the delegates of the
other powers, who are seeking to bring
about compromise in the. French po-
siiion.
Secretary Hughes is reported to
have suggested a naval ratio of Ito
for France and Italy, which would
give each country the capital ship
strength of 81 per cent as compared
with the United States and Great Brit
ain. France, ii is reported, may be
willing TO accept ~, which would bive
her maximum of 2T5,0O0 tons capital
ship strength.
Lively Committee Meeting.
The conference subcommittee of 10
on naval armament considered the pro-
posal for three hours without result,
and adjournment was taken. Ii is
hoped that word from Paris will make
possible settlement upon terms Of
justice to France, taking into consider
alton her special position due To her
inability to construct ships since the
beginning of the war.
The session, 1t was learned from an
authoritative source was the most
exciting one that has been held since
the delegates assembled on November
IL, representatives of all the partici-
pating powers taking part In the live
ly discussions which followed an argu-
ment for the proposal presented by Al
bert Sarraut, head of the French dele
cation.
Mr.. Sarraut expressed amazement at
the emotion" the French request had
aroused both in the conference and in
the press, and sought to impress, upon
the conference that France desired 81
theoretical capital ship ratio of 81, al.
though not intending to build up to
that point at this time.
Cannot Understand Objection.
The three great powers, he said, had
settled their ratings after five weeks
Of consideration, aud he did not under
stand why there should be so much
confusion over the position of France,
which had been before the conference
only "A hours.
France, Mr.. Sarraut explained, did
not ask to build ten superdreadnaughts
next week or next month, but was look
ing forward to the future and wished
to place her prospective needs before
the conference IN manner that would
be thoroughly understood.
The American and British delega-
tions, il was stated, wish to deal with
the naval problem on the basis of ac-
Qualities, and they are opposed tosthe
French demand, because, If France is
permitted TO construct ten new capital
ships, the ratio agreed upon by the
three naval powers, America, Great
Britain and Japan, could only be main
tanned by an increase In the number
of their ships and fhe expenditure of
huge sums of money, throwing out of
gear the entire purpose and program
Of disarmament
French View Outlined.
The French plea Is that France Is
an ancient nation, one of the greatest
I'm the world, that she has had navy
for hundreds of years and that she
feels entitled to the theoretical recog-
milton Of her claim for ten new capital
ships.
II fall TO understand why there
should be all this uproar," said Mr..
Sarraut. 1--WE suggested what we re-
gard as our proper position. That Is
all. We are here to discuss. We are
glad to hear what every one thinks
about II. The French are always open
to reason We want to talk this thing
over calmly and see absolutely no rea-
son to get excited about It,"
Would Keep Submarines
Paris, Dec 19.--France is opposed
to the abolition OF submarines.
France sees no reason why she
should not have navy as big as
Japan's.
In these statements. made here semi.
officially, France takes direct issue