Arizona republican., 1921-12-29
DELEGATES DISAPPOINTED
 AT FRANCES REFUSAL TO ACCEPT COMPROMISE PLAN

which were of no use except to de- stroy commerce to say candidly she could not look with indifference on the situation that would be created"
 That ended discussion of the sub marine question. and the committee passed to consideration of the pro- posal Of Secretary Hughes that naval vessels other than capital ships or aircraft carriers be limited to 10000 tons displacement and to eight-inch guns as their heaviest armament Before the committee adjourned. agreement was expressed with pro- posal growing out of this to liTpit capital ship guns to 16-inch bore but the limitation of auxiliary ships to 10000 tens displa cement was not af- firmed. the point going over until tomorrow"
 In presenting the French govern nent's naval program. NJ. Sarraut said that the cabinet and the supreme council of national defense in Paris had resolved to accept the reduction to I7S.0o0 tons'' of capital ships pro- posed by the American group.
 The conditions "of application" of this agreement would be easy of set- tlemenf, he said, through considera- ton of such qualifications "as 1t may be useful to introduce.'' in connec- ton with the naval holiday enabling powers to lay down in 1927 ships = | replace those which have reached their twentieth year of existsi1ce.
 Tt will likewise be easy to settle the question still outstanding" he said. "of the duration cf the agree ment as to limitation of capital ship I tonnage"
 Make no Concession In f1a .1f tons O. submarines and 3So. 900 tons of auxiliary craft for France, M Sar- rant said the delegation has been in- structed to consent to no concession on the above figures.
 To sum up.' he continued. Era nee accepts as regards capital ships the sacrifice which she must face in order 10 meet the views of the conference and which represents an important reduction of her normal sea power. | She limits the program of the future | constitution of her fleet to 330. 900 ' tons for auxiliary craft and to 90, 900 | tons for submarines"
 l Secretary Hughes in reply said he was gratified at French acceptance | of the capital ship tonnage limitation, as capital ships were the chief weap- ! on of offense. and if the conference 1 succeeded. as it seemed evident it would. in reducing fin a fairly satiS- | factory. manner armaments repre- sented in capital ships, that alone would aid ''in establishing a better basis of lasting peace"
 ] Expressing his disappointment with
 the French statement as to sub ' marines, Mir. Hughes said that if i these vessels were to be available for defensive purposes in connection I with fleet movements they should
 bear some definite proportion to the l fighting fleets''
 The French suggestion of S0,000 tons. 'ch ahy basis of a practicable
 ratio" he added, would involve the
 assumption that Great Britain and the United States increase their sub marine tonnage proportionately.
 This could hardly be called Hmi- tation or reduction" he continued: 1: furthermore, if a large number of 1 submarines were to be provided, then cruisers and destroyers would have to be provided in numbers adequste e
 10 deal with the situation created by
 a large submarine fleet"
 1 Expanding Arman1ent
 NIT. Hughes said + was a serious question whether anything could be accomplished in the way or limiting
 tonnage of submarines and auxiliary fcrsft. He added that he did not de
 sire at this time and in view Of the
 existing situation 10 discuss details. '"
 Of the tonnage limitations France ' had pTonoSnd foy herself i,,r+ that F..