South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-22
"STRONG MAN.
AYERS FORCES
MUST BE KEPT
Emotional Plea for National
Security Pronounced by
the Premier.

Continued from page one)
gotiadons simmered down 20 an ei-
fort merely 90 agree on a general
statement OF policy.
Detailed figures on the present
and proposed military strength OF
France were not included in Premier
Brands address 10 the conference.
but he explained that his illusions
20 contemplated reductions fore
cast a future strength Of $685.
regulars as against 500, 600 now un-
der arms. This would be accom-
plished, ne said, by keeping only one
and a half classes in training,
whereas az present there are two
fun classes" and the existing law
authorizes three.
II anyone asks Us 10 go further, "
said the premier in concluding his
address TO the conference. II shall
f have 10 answer clearly and definitely
I that II would be impossible for US 70
I do il without exposing ourselves TO
most serious danger
Agreement Is Near.
There was strong Indication Mon
/ day that definite progress toward an
/ agreement on American proposals
/ for naval reduction and Limitation
was being made. although no defin-
/ its action was taken.
/ The big Three" of the arms Emi-
tation conference, Sec'y Hughes
Arthur j. Balfour and Admiral
/ Baron Kato, met In Mr.. Hughes Of
flee. Each was aided by the chief
naval experts Of each power, but 80
far as could be learned the discus
sion did not get beyond further take
off figures as 20 tonnage and other
! matters in the American plan.
Progress Significant.
The fact that the experts had
made such progress as 10 warrant
the informal meeting Of the heads
OF the three delegations chiefly con-
cerned in the naval program was
regarded as significant, however
and foreshadowing some early con-
clusion
There was evidence that during
the conference the American experts
were asked for and also received
further particulars as TO the Ameri-
can proposals. Mr.. Hughes, Mr.
Balfour and Baron Kato, were com
PEELED 10 leave for the far eastern
conference before the experts were
ready 70 separate, but Il appeared
I probable that there would be a fur
Their meeting Tuesday when the ad-
ditional data presented had been re-
viewed
There is no indication that any
change in the American proposed
1913 ratio" Of fleet strength vii
be considered by the American
group That ratio. however, under
the American proposal would no
apply for 10 years or until replace
ments begin at the end OF the 10.
year building holiday
The Zero Hour"
American naval opinion does no
easily accept any suggestion tina
additional ships 10 those proposed
in Mr. Hughes plan be retained b.
any power. That was based on tn,
fleets as they were on November
as the zero hour" for application
OF cut and the decade Of no build
ing. The Japanese contend. il is un
; derstood, that the battleship Mutsl
proposed 10 be scrapped, was actu
ally so nearly a finished ship on tina
date that she should be retained
In that event il seems highly prob
able the United States would retain
one or more of the new battleship
now ahoat, but which she has offer
ed 10 scrap. The point has not beel
threshed out as yet by the experts
however, nor has Japan defnitel
committed herself it is held, 20 tn
"5-5-3' replacement ratio.
: other phases Of the American pro
gram were under discussion Monday
Representations were understood q
have been made by British an
Japanese experts as TO the effec
the American plan would have il
, connection with the Obsolescence o
{ ships during the ten year period
the shape each navy would 0e in a
= that time, and other highly technic
: al questions which the experts alon
. can appreciate and understand. I
: was said in some quarters that tn
American group admitted that all a