The New York herald., 1921-11-21
Premier Also Calls OH Bal
four and Then Confers
With Hughes.
TO MAKE SPEECH TO-DAY
Will Outline Frances Position
in Justifying Her Action for
Adequate Defence.
by RALPH COURTNEY.
Special Despatch 10 The NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
MashingtOn. ID. C.. N0v. % {

Special Despatch TO The NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. Nov. 20.
Italy is credited with the intention
of springing a surprise at to-morrow's
debate on land armies. Italy demands
reduction of the Jugo- Slav army and
is reported to be anxious to bring up
this matter at to-morrow's public ses-
sion. The French prefer the land
armies discussion to be ended as soon
as possible and would rather have
Italy refrain from bringing UP the
question which is disturbing her.
This morning NJ. BRAND and Senator
Schanzer, the head of the Italian dele
CATION, met and discussed the matter.
but no conclusion was reached The
Italians were reported tonight to be
unwilling to abandon their intention OF
speaking
Another doubtful factor in the land
army debate is England. NJ. BRAND
also called on Mr.. Balfour to exchange
views. The French Premier then saw
Secretary Hughes on the same errand
Engaged In Speculation.
After the preliminary exchange of
views. the impression exists in French
circles that to-morrow's debate will bring
forth no dramatic incident that will be
.unfavorable to France. Nevertheless the
unexpected may happen and conference
circles tonight are engaged in specu-
latlon as TO what declaration. If any. the
other delegations may make.
AT IL o'clock In the morning. with
Marshal Foch in attendance. the French
Premier will arise before the assembled
delegates to Justify France in the eyes
of the world for maintaining an army
larger than any other country in Eu-
rope.
Most Importance is attached TO the at
titude OF America and England. Italy
also will carry weight in the general
question of land armaments but it Is
considered doubtful whether she will in
clude France in her suggestion that the
land armies Of her neighbors be reduced.
VI. BRAND in his speech will outline
all the dangers France has to face in
executing the Treaty OF Versailles. With
the treaty is bound up the whole oues-
ton of land armies. This fact Is believed
to make II improbable that any attempt
to regulate land armies will be made at
Washington.
England is not expected to desire
discussion which involves a reconsidera-
tion of all European problems.
But most important OF ALL in French
eyes, will be the American attitude. The
Secretary of State Is expected to make
a declaration which, according to rumor,
will be favorable to the French. NJ.
BRAND is extremely anxious to take
back to France some expression from
American statesmen which will be read
as mark OF the continuing friendship
between America and France. IL the
American declaration goes so far as 70
state a policy toward the European set
tlement under the treaty of Versailles
NJ. BRAND will be warmly welcomed in
France when he returns next week
Hoping for switch.
As Ttalys alleged intention to widen
the debate on land armaments Is not
regarded with favor by the French the
hope has not been entirely abandoned
that she may think better Of her inten-
tons before tomorrow On the other
hand. II is possible that England may
not wish the debate 70 go by without
a few remarks directed against the size
of the French army or against the army
belonging to Poland. but under Frencn
supervision.
Another attitude on the part of Amer
lea which would be satisfactory to
France. would be for this country to
wash its hands of the question OF land
armaments in Europe az far as the
present conference Is concerned and pro-
pose that this matter should be consid-
cred outside the competence of the
present conference.
It is indicated that land armainonts
obvic-;sly cannot be discussed in satis-
factory manner at conference where
countries with the largest armies arc
not represented Among these countries
are Germany and Russia. and " is pre-
cisely with the armies of these countries
In view that France is compelled 20
maintain her present military regime.
Immediately the land armamcnts dis
cussion IL over France is expected TO
withdraw from Washington all her milf
tary experts 70 mark her understanding
that the question of European armies
cannot be reviewed by the present con-
ference.