The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-20
PRECISE ATTITUDE
CT FRANCE IS NOT
CLEARLY STATED
Unofficial AdviceS Indicate
BRAND Decides to Accept
U. S. Proposal for 49,
600 Ton Fleet

Washington. December 19.-France
has taken steps to reconcile her views
on the naval ratio problem with those
of the other powers, but her precise
attitude-now the crucial issue of the
arms otiations--remains in doubt.
Unofficial adVices from abroad to-
day indicated that Premier BRAND had
decided to accept the American pro-
posal for a French capital ship fleet
of 175,O00 tons in place of the $780,
000-ton plan drawn by the French
delegates.
Secretary Hughes. as chairman OF
the arms conference, also received
from the French premier a communi-
cation construed at the state depart
ment as meaning that the French
group had been directed to accede to
the American program.
But the French delegates them
selves did not so construe long
message of instructions received
from the premier during the day.
They described 1t as advising them to
go as far toward meeting the Ameri-
can Views as they could without sac
rifice of French national interests.
1t was said not to embody a specific
decision nor to make reference to any
specific tonnage plan.
Long conference held
With the negotiations IN that situa-
ton, Mr., Hughes and Albert Sarraut,
head Of the French delegation, held a
long conference late this afternoon
and parted without making any an
Iouncement. II was said only that
the conversations were proceeding
and that there was u mutual eX-
peetation of ultimate agreement.
In other quarters also there was APP
parent a distinct note of optimism
despite the days mystifying success
sion of developments. Among Amerl-
can officials an almost unanimous be-
lief prevailed that France eventual
1y would take the American figure for
her capital ship allotment even
though she insisted on an increase OF
submarine tonnage as an offset. For
the moment the negotiations are con-
eerned solely with capital ships, and
TO many delegates five-power
agreement on that subject does not
seem far away.
Long Step Forward
1t is pointed out by the Americans
that even an effort by the French to
adopt a conciliatory attitude toward
the views of the United States may be
regarded as a long step toward set
Element The American position all
along has been that ratios should be
adjusted on the basis OF existing
strength, while the S50,000-ton pro-
posal Of the French was frankly pre-
dicted on the entirely different prin-
ciple of national needs So If the
French premier has done nothing
more than approve the American
status quo principle, he has contrib
uted a great deal, in the view OF
American officials. toward final agree
ment.
The message received by Secretary
Hughes was a sequel to last nights
conference between NJ. BRAND ana
American Ambassador Harvey at Lon
don, which press reports say result
ed In the premier's acceptance of the
American plan. Today there were
signs that the situation might have
developed further complications be-
cause of the direct method of nego-
tiation adopted by Mr.. Hughes, but
the apprehensions of the French dele
gates appeared 30 be 'quieted when 1t
was explained at the state department
that the secretary had acted in his
capacity as chairman Of the confer
ence and had addressed NJ. BRAND in
his capacity as head of the French
delegation.