The Washington herald., 1921-12-17
FRANCE IMPERILS
FARLEY HARMONY
BY ship DEMAND
Request for 37O,O00-Ton
Ship Strength Is
BOmbshell.
Continued from PAGE One.

allotment Of 10000 tons or capital
ships as her naval ratio. He made
il plain, however. that Italy must
fare equally with France IN what
ever decision finally vas reached.
BY inference, however the italian
spokesman criticized the French po-
sitlon especially when he let il be
known that Italy had no desire to
expend an unwarranted sum on
warships simply TO bring the units
e of the navy above a certain figure.
Recess Taken Until Today.
The Japanese position Is under
stood to have been in complete
support Of that of Great Britain
and the United States. A general
discussion followed-the speeches OF
the delegation leaders, but there
was no sign of progress at any
point. The French position was
rigidly adhered to and finally recess
was taken until IL o'clock today
with the matter still very much in
the air
Following the general committee
meeting the various delegations got
, together in their headquarters and
. discussed the situation The tfe-up
was accepted as unpleasant, but
there was no disposition on the part
Of any of the COnferees to consider
that the difference of opinion would
not finally be settled on a basis
p that will he satisfactory to all con-
cerned. The American delegation
conferred in the office of Secretary
Hughes. and Root, Lodge and I'm
derwood Endorsed the position that
the chairman had taken. There was
no statement forthcoming when
they broke up. but one of the Amer
lean delegates said that he had no
doubt that the situation would al
just itself quickly. He emphasized
that this conference has been car
ried on in the most friendly spirit
and that every delegation had dis
PLAYED Willingness to make con-
p cessions for the good OF the cause.
There will be no exception in
this case. he said. What we must
do is to possess ourselves in
patience and await developments.
says France Mus Concede.
The British delegation also con-
ferred and the position of Mr.. Bal
four was Endorsed. Later a spokes-
man for the, British delegation said
that he considered the present de-
veIopment rather unfortunate.
1
said. ''in view Of the general feel
ing Of approval that marked pub.
LEGATION Of yesterdays agreement.
OF course none can deny that IL the
French DELEGATION shall insist on
its demands there will be nothing
left for the three powers that have
arrived At an agreement but TO
change the numerical allotment.
Because Of this fact l believe il alb
solutely necessary that France and
Italy make concessions which will
make possible carrying into effect
the plan which Nj. Hughes an
nounCed last niEht and which would
result in the reduction Of the three
leading navies-
at is inConceivable that either
Russia or Germany should be able
in ten years to become a dangerous
factor against the naval peace of
the world And this being so, nat
urally, the claims that France
needs A great navy to meet danger
from these sources hardly can be
considered as sound"
Adhere to Submarine View.
The British spokesman said that
so far the conference has not con-
sidered whether naval craft to be
Scrapped can be disposed of to other
nations. Neither has it considered
definitely whether any power, party
to the final agreement. will be al
lowed TO manufacture warships for
any nation not so a party.
The British viewpoint on the
submarine continues unchanged.
this spokesman said, and the dele
cation expects to be allowed to
place its opinion that the underseas
craft is an improper method of
warfare which should be elimi- /
mated before the conference in /
rIcnary session and through it to
the world at large
Agreement on the naval ratio. as 1
announced by the United States. |
Great Britain and Japan, in the /
opinion of this spokesman, would
diminish the burdens on the peo-
pies or tho three nations concerned: |
would alleviate the present severe
economic strain on some Of the |
powers. and this would be accom-
pIishCd without the slightest sacri- |
fee Of national honor or integrity |.
81 the powers concerned. This like /.
wise would he the case so far as
italy and France are concerned. he
said. if they Will accept ratio /.
comparable with that agreed on by
the Zig Three"
French Are ReSentfuI.
According to this spokesman.
there was little chance that Great
Britain would wait for five years
before she would initiate construc-
ton of the authorized two craft
Of the Royal Sovereign type of pre-
JutIand lighting vessel He also
praised in uustinted terms the mo-
tives behind President Harding in
initiating this conference.
French spokesman declared that
they feared a mistaken notion had
gone forth as to just what they
were asking for in naval strength.
They said that they simply were
insisting that their national de-
uauds. protection of coast lines.
commerce and the like, should be
taken into consideration in fixing
their propOrtionate naval strength
ratio.
However. il was plain that there
is an undercurrent of recruitment
among the French delegS zion and
attaches over the rather minor part
that they have been forced to play
in the negotiations dealing with the
naval ratio The Japanese have
been the great direct factor at all
times while the French. who very
frankly declare that as a nation
they are vastly superior to Nippon, |
have not been very much consid- |