The New York herald., 1921-12-21

they will be resumed.
Conference committees engaged in
trying to solve other problems relating
to the Far East situation are function
ing with commendable progress, and
ii is not probable the temporary col
lapse OF the Shantung negotiations will
interfere with the other reforms de-
signed to give to China a new start
toward self-government.
The only one of these events that
exercised any direct effect on the ma
chinery of the conference was the
French decision to accept the terms of
the Hughes formula relating TO capital
ornaments, on conditions affecting
auxiliary craft. which, it is believed.
can lie granted. despite the fact that
some knotty problems still are in
volved The most disturbing feature
in the naval situation relates to the
submarine issue and is due to the con-
filct cf views between the British and
French as to the defensive value OF
that type of war craft.
American delegates to the confer
cnce expressed the opinion that the
brief interruption to the processes or
adjusting differences over naval ratios
seemingly has passed without leaving
any marks of damage on the confer
,ence itself. They confidently predicted
the completion of the whole naval pro-
gram to the ultimate satisfaction OF
the United States, Great Britain,
France, Italy and Japan, the five ma
tions most vitally concerned. They
even expressed hope that the naval
program might be advanced to a final
stage by Friday, when there may be a
plenary session previous to recess
over the holidays.
Most Serious Cloud Removed.
The French acceptance of the cap
ital ship ratio of LIS. as compared to
5-5-3 for the United States, Great Brit
ain and Japan, has removed the most
serious cloud that has yet hung over
conference proceedings. and there Is a
distinct sense Of relief because of ii.
A full meeting of the delegates OF
the United States, Great Britain,
France, italy and Japan on Thursday
viii pass upon the French claims for
auxiliary lighting craft and, it is be-
lieved. vii round out the program for
submission to the full conference. In
the meantime the committees consid-
agenda are moving steadily forward,
although no effort will be made to dis
pose of any of the issues involved until
after the recess.
The chief contribution to the devel-
opments to-day resulted from the di-
rect appeal made by Secretary Hughes
TO Premier BRAND for cooperation in
disposing of the naval issue. Follow
ing the meeting of the subcommittee
on naval limitation this morning the
correspondence between the American
Secretary of State and the French
Premier was made public.
Y On Friday last Mr. Hughes sent
cable message to NJ. BRAND through
ambassador Herrick at Paris review
ine the work Of the conference and
calling attention to the effect of the
demand made by the French delegates
for a Encouragement of the naval
',schdule agreed upon by the represen-
tatives Of the United States, Great
Britain and Japan.
Anxious to Aid France.
Y In closing his appeal to the French
Premier for cooperation in reaching
satisfactory agreement over capital
ornaments Mr.. Hughes said:
\ "At this time, when we are anxious
ITO aid France in full recovery of her
economic life, it would be most disap
pointing to be advised that she was
contemplating putting hundreds of
millions into battleships."
The message addressed by Mr..
Hughes to NJ. BRAND was more than
! 900 words In length; the reply Of NJ.
BRAND about one-third as voluminous.
The French Premier expressed his de-
sire to do everything which is COM
patible with the care Of the vital in
lterests of France with a view 10 recon-
Ncile our points Of view" He said that
in the question of naval armaments
the preoccupation of France was not
1.-THE offensive point of view, but
uniquely the defensive point Of view.
with regard to the tonnage of cap
ital ships" he wired, that is to say
attacking ships, which are the. most
ostly. I have given instructions to
c"r delegates in the sense which you
desire. and I am certain that 1 shall
be sustained by my Parliament in this
view"
The dissent OF the French Premier
Hilary craft was presented in these
words: "But so far as the defensive
.ships are concerned 0ight cruisers
torpedo boats and submarines) II
would be impossible for the French
Government to put itself in contradic-
tion with the vote of the Chambers to
accept the reductions corresponding
no those which we accept for capital
ships under this formal reserve which
you win certainly understand"
The French ambitions for auxiliary
craft are in conflict with the views of
Great Britain, which favors a drastic
cut in submarine tonnage The feeling
between the representatives Of the two
countries, due to matters not directly
connected with the conference. has
contributed to some extent to this
sharp difference OF opinion.
The British delegates have clearly
indicated their determination to fight
either for abolition of the submarine
or it's curtailment to a point compati-
BILE with minimum defensive necessi-
ties. The British delegates appear to
be quite as eager to debate the mat
ter with their associates in an open
session of the conference.