Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-12-30
NEWS review OF
CURRENT EVENTS
arms Conference Seeks Agree
ment on Submarines and
Light Cruisers.
FRENCH DEMANDS THE CRUX
British Want U-Boet Abolished in
Warfare-AIlied Supreme Council
TO Call for Commission on Re-
Mobilization of Central Europe
Henry Watterson Dies.
az EpwARp wv. PIcKARp

g UBAARINES, light cruisers and
- torpedo boats occupied most of
the attention of the conference dele
gates and naval experts in Washing
son during much of the week. The way
the controversy, if so it may be desig-
rated, developed, is interesting. First
France asked that she be allowed to
have about $4,000 tons of capital
ships, which would give her a ratio
OF 3.5. She said she wanted to build
from five to ten battleships, though
not at once, and supported her claim
ny showing how her navy had been
neglected during the war. The other
delegates could not stand for this,
and Secretary of State Hughes COM
municated directly with Premier Bri-
and, who was in London. In his
cablegram Mr. Hughes said:
81 feel that the suggestion that has
been made that France should build
ten capital ships in replacement with
a tonnage of 100000 tons or more sug-
gests a program of such magnitude as
10 raise the greatest difficulties. In
fact, regret to say that after can
wasting the matter thoroughly and
taking the best information / can. OBJ
tain, / am compelled to conclude that
it would not be possible on this basis
10 carry through the agreement"
BRAND at once sent instructions to
the delegation which permitted it to
recede from the demand concerning
capital ships and agree to the ratio of
1.75 fixed by the conference, so far as
vessels of that class are concerned.
But, for purposes of national defense,
the French asked special considera-
aion in the matter Of submarines and
sighf cruisers. OF the former they
wished to be allowed $4,000 tons, and
of fhe latter 100000 tons. This, in the
aggregate, would give France an aux
8liary naval rating of about 3.5.
Briand said France felt she must pro-
sect her three coasts, on the Atlantic,
the North sea and the Mediterranean,
and should have plenty Of light cruis-
ers because Germany is permitted to
build ships of that type. He also in
tfmated that Russia might build yes
sells on the Baltic which Germany
could use against France. He vigor-
ousIy disclaimed any idea that there
could be hostilities between France
and Great Britain
Great Britain still insisted on the
fotaI abolition of the submarine in
warfare. and Mr.. Balfour asked that
n plenary session of the conference be
called so that he and his fellow dele
gates could make their plea for this
in public. But the British stood alone
in this contention and it was predict
ed the conference would refuse to out
law the undersea boats. However, the
Americans showed disposition to
compromise by accepting a reduction
of the submarine tonnage allowed
Great Britain and the United States.
This. as it stands, is 10000 tons. The
British asked that at least it be cut
to $4,000 tons. The Americans indi-
Gated they might be satisfied with a
75OOO-ton maximum. If this last fig
ure is agreed upon It may operate to
reduce Frances allowance, since that
is the tonnage she is asking.
president HARDING, while talk
ing to the correspondents Tuesday,
seems to have made slight slip which
caused a lot of excitement and sup
Dlied some ammunition to Borah,
Reed and other opponents of the four
power Pacific treaty, who assumed
there was division between the
President and the delegates in con-
STRUNG the agreement. Mr.. Harding
IN his interview expressed the opinion