New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
France W armed
Navy Demands
lnnperil Treaty
tcsutiuusd from p.jc sne)


ing naval armaments- rather than by
more pleasant methods.
While what took place at the naval
committee meeting to-day is being
carefully guarded. it is understood
that most Of the session was occupied
by M. Sarraut in advancing frances
claims for ten capital ships. lie asked
that France be permitted to build seven
Of these during the naval holiday, and
three Immediately thereafter. AS pre-
sented by NJ. Sarraut the French ratio
during the holiday period would be 2.7
IN tho 6-5-3 arrangement, but later
would pass that Of Japan, the final tom
mage ratings of the four powers being
Great Britain and the United States,
$4,000 tons; France, $4,000 tons, and
Japan, $4,000 tons.
Hughes Speaks Plainly
Great Britain, japan and italy. it is
said said, voiced their opposition to the
French plan yesterday. The United
States alone had not spoken. Mr..
Hughes took the floor as soon as NJ.
Sarraut concluded, and it is asserted
that he talked very plainly to the
French, thus leaving them unsupported
IN their demands.
France and Italy each ratio Of two,
navy than it now has. Mr.. Hughes
contended that existing strength must
be the basis in fixing the ratio just as
1t was in the big Three"
The Secretary told the French that
Great Britain. the United States and
Japan were proposing to diminish their
navies, scrap many ships, and thus re-
duce the armament burden of the
world, Unless France was willing to
play it's part-especially- as it was not
being asked to scrap any of it's ships
and was not even barred during the
naval holiday from slightly increasing
itself with small naval building ex-
penditures-the whole program might
be wrecked and the world as result
gain nothing from the naval limitation
conference. Mr.. Hughes, 1t was de-
clared tonight, put the responsibility
for failure directly UPON France.
Mr.. Hughes, according TO the best
information obtainahle tonight, was
exceedingly tactful in his remarks, and
indicated no haste to foreclose the dis.
cussion. He made it clear, however,
that he wanted the French to under
stand that heregarded their demands
to be asking as to block further prog
ross unless modified.
1t was made clear Tonight by an
American spokesman that the con-
ference cannot go ahead until the ad-
vices from Paris are received. Incl
dentaily, the American delegation re-
fused absolutely to discuss outside the
committee room the French demands.
So far from being given lists Of ships
to be scrapped OF to be retained, such
as were handed to Britain and japan
and published to the world at the same
time, the French and Italians we're al
lowed to make their own suggestions.
In the case of the Italians there has
been no trouble except for their rela-
ton to the French problem. They do
not want to increase their navy unless
France does; they want to keep navy
equal to that Of France, and they want
the conference to force France not to
increase her navy at this time.
The Italians, therefore, are squarely
back Of the Big Three in the effort to
prevent France from entering on
naval-building orgy--or at least from
obtaining the sanction of the Arma-
nent Limitation Conference for, such a
building spree, for no one here be-
lieyes that the building will ever take
plAcu, no Whtter Wh&C thc conference
may authorize.
The French tonight changed their
policy Of absolute silence, SO far as
the press is. concerned. but the change
was not of tremendously radical
nature. NJ. Sarraut declared that at
this morping's session he spoke at
length, explaining frances. present
naval needs, and discussed in detail
various points on which further infor.
NATION was requested. He regretted
that he could not give specific informa-
tlon now,
He said he was surprised to see con-
siderable excitement shown in this
mornings papers about what was re-
ported to be Frances position. awe
game here" he said, with the firm and
loyal intention Of collaborating in the
great work of peace In which America
took the initiative. and we haya every