New-York tribune., 1921-12-30
British IndOrse
ReblikeBalfOur
Gave to France
Even Newspapers Generally
Friendly to Paris Join
in Approval; Effect on
Cannes Conference Seen
Entente Held Menaced
Revival Of Channel Tunnel
Project Dropped as One
Result of Briamd's Stand
From The Yribunc's European Bureav


Copyright. 1922 Now York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Dec. 29.-Arthur j. Bal
four's grave rebuke to France yestcr-
day for her insistcnce on Il heavy sub
marine tonnage has created sensa
tion here, but it is heartily indorsed by
the entire press, including that section
which generally upholds France in any
conflict with the Lloyd George govern
ment. The frankness Of the veteran
diplomat, who always selects his words
with the greatest care, pleascs the
British, for they have not yet forgot
ten Premier Brands supposed state
ment about the "saraine feet"
Frances decision against reduction
in submarines is certain to react
strongly against her during the inpor-
tant conferences in Paris and Cannes
Although it. is realized here that the
French policy at Washington has been
dictated by politics, there is no tend
ency to eHo Sc it, because the British
hold that the French have done much
to negative the good results Of the con-
ference. Had the French decided to
cooperate with the Americans and
British, the prospects for reaching an
agreement on the question Of German
reparations ana the Near East policy
would be infinitely brighter.
Issue Made Definite
1t is possible that the Washington
debate has fixed the Anglo French is
sue SO clearly that there will be a
showdown. In official circles here the
French submarine demand is regarded
not as the opinion Of French naval ex-
perts but Of statesmen. Consequently
the que IN naturally arises whether
the French people will support their
politicians in the campaign of under
sea armament which Mr.. Balfour de-
scribes as aimed solely at Great Brit
ain. So long as this situation exists the
idea of tunnel under the. English
Channel, which recently has been agi-
tated again, will be put aside.
The hope is expressed here that the
subject of submarines will be raised
at another conference at which all the
powers, big and little, will be repre-
sented. Certainly the British have no
intention of letting the matter remain
where it is.
Editorial comment from many Amer
lean newspapers, including The New
York Tribune, is being published here
and long leaders on the new disagree
ment are appearing in the London
press.
Sees Blow to Entente
Under the heading, "The Entente
End it or Mend It," the "Pall Mall
Gazette" says: "The claim of France
to a gigantic submarine feet has def
initely banged the door at Washington
upon all the greater hopes for naval
reduction. The situation which has
thus been reached becomes a sheer
mockery of the realities which the
word entente is supposed to cover.
When we see France deliberately
brandish;ng the weapon which we have
most to fear and which none but the
aggressive have used it becomes al
most farce to pretend that the en-
tente has any virtue left in it. Either
the entente must be a reality based on
perfect good filth on both sides, or it
must be dissolved altogether"
After paying compliment to Mr..
Balfour's skill in presenting the Brit
ish case, "The Evening News" asks:
against whom is this huge mass of
submarines to be built? What a pity
it s that France should have compelled
our representatives at the conference
for future peace to have put the Ques-
tion at all"
A big party of British financial and
economic experts started for Paris this
morning.