The New York herald., 1921-11-13
America Has Stated Her
Position and Others Must
Now Reply.
CALLED GOOD BEGINNING
Good Will of This Country
Clearly Demonstrated in Pro-
pOsals, Says Statesman.
by RALPH COURTNEY.

! Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. G.. Nov. IL.
The French. startled at the Ameri-
can naval proposals, are still rubbing
their eyes. "We expected something
important" said the French Ambas-
sador after the conference, but moth
ing as startling as this
The French mission is full of adj
miration at what is considered Amer
ica's adroit move. Whatever Americas
object may be. they say she has set
about it in the best possible manner.
The French Premier told ~HE New
YORK HERALD after the conference that
Mr.. Hughes was a very courageous
man to tackle the subject as he did.
"The conference was very "a la
Americaine,' Mr.. BRAND said. "We
might have expected this in America,
but the session came to us as a sur
prise.
"Mr. Hughes showed a great deal of
courage. He faced the problem frankly
and honestly and we now know exactly
where we stand. America has stated
her position and now it is for the others
to reply.
IT do not wish to discuss figures be-
cause l have not yet been able to read
Mr.. Hughes's speech in French, but by
the way the naval problem is handled
it is seen that the conference will very
quickly get to real business.
THE conference already has a precise
plan before it and that is good be-
ginning. If some other method had
been adopted the American scheme might
have been brought up in committee. 1t
would have been sent to the experts
for examination and a great deal of time
would have been lost.
THE way MIR. hughes has chosen is
direct and to the point. There is no
better way. He avoided none of the
difficulties and clearly demonstrated
America g good will. America has taken
a noble initiative. The Powers will, OF
course, have to meet and discuss the po-
litical consequences of the American
proposals, but in my opinion the ques-
ton OF naval armaments has been we'll
put and / am very anxious to hear what
replies the other Powers give. 1t Will
be very interesting.
"Next Tuesday may be too early to
expect definite results, but we shall
already be able to see what the
tendencies are.
The President spoke nobly and SIM
ply. Mr.. Hughes's speech was direct
and delivered with great frankness
Both speeches were what / expected
Of America. 1t greatly touched me that
/ should have been called from the
gallery. The whole atmosphere of the
conference was most sympa.atic and I
felt it very deeply"
The head of the French naval mis-
sion, Admiral LeBon returned to the
French headquarters very much moved
at the American offer.
"It was something" he said. (which
gave me profound emotion. The pro-
posals themselves may need reflection,
but they awakened i'll us a very deep
feeling that everything possible must
be done to bring about the realization
II is not for us TO either critcise or to
think that this programme cannot be
made a reality. We know that Amer
icas ideas correspond to the longing
of great many people in the world
and it is our duty to have faith in these
ideals and to work for them America
has taken noble step and great honor
should be paid to her initiative"