Arizona republican., 1921-12-20
BRAND DIRECTS ACCEPTANCE OF
 AMERICAN NAVAL RATIO PROPOSAL
French Premier Cables Secretary Hughes That France Will Not Stand In Way of Agreement
FRepublscsn A. p. Leased WireJ

TSepublscsn A. p. Leased WtreJ
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-France has taken steps to reconcile her views on the naval ratio problem with those of the other powers, but her precise a1titude-now the crucial is sue of the arms negotiations-re- mains in doubt.
 Unofficial adyices from abroad to- day indicated Premier Briand had decided f0 accept the American pro- poSal for a French capital ship fleet of 1ss.o00 tons in place of the 350oo0 ton plan drawn by the French dele Eation.
 Secretary Hughes, as chairman of the arms conference, also received from the premier a communication construed at the state department as meaning that the French group had been directed to acede to the Ameri- can proposal. But the French dele gates did not so construe long mes sage received from the premier They declared that it was to go as far as they could toward meeting American views without sacrifice Of French national interests.
 With the negotiations In that situ- zttor. AIr. Hughes and Albert Sar- raS-. head of the French delegation, held a long conference late today. IL was said only the conversations were proceeding and there was a mutual expectation of ultimate agree ment.
 Delegates Optimistic
 In other quarters, also, there was apparent a distinct note of optimism, despite the days mystefying devel- opnents. Among American officials an almost certain belief prevailed that France eventually would take ' the American figure for her capital ship allotment even though she 1n- sisted on an increase of submarine tonnage as an offset For the mo- D1erlt the negotiations are concerned solely with capital ships, and to many delegates a five-power agreement on that subject does not seem far away. Ir is pointed out by Americans that even an effort by the French to adopt a -onciliatory attitude towards, the views of the United States may be regarded as a long step toward set tlesnent The-American position has been that ratios should be adjusted on the basis of existing strength, while the 350,000 ton proposal of the French was predicated on <he~ prin- espIe needs. So if the French premier has done nothing more than approve the American status quo principle he has contributed great deal, in she view of American officials toward &zlal agreement.
 The message to Secretary Hughes WIS a sequel to last nights confer ~uce between M. -Briand and Am bassador Harvey at London, which press reports say resulted in the pre- rier's acceptance of the AmerlcaI nan. Today there were signs tha' the situation might develop turtnel combinations because of the direcl methods of negotiations adopted ol
 
 cf the French delegates appeared tt be uuieted when it was explained that the secretary had acted as char man of the conference and had ad cressed NJ. Briand as head Of th' Trench delegation.
 The delicacy of the position II which the French delegates founf themselves was increased by an uouncements of the London confer ence in press dispatches which cam ahead of the premier's instructions Tn the furry at delegation headquar fers. some lesser French official talked of the possibility of cabine crisis in France, should it prove tru that NJ Briand had suddenly throw over the $50. .000-ton plan for whic his representatives here were stouti coatending-
 No Details on Message
 Delegates would not go into de tails regarding the premiers mes sage. but there were indications tha they had not found it distasteful. was declared to be rather in the na ture of counsel and advice than mandate. and was said to leave th real decision to those on the groun here. Whether the 35O,00o plan to be pressed again when the com xnittee. of 15 assemblies tomorrow wa not revealed.
 There were many indications ths with any recession on the caplt; shin question, the French would al 4en1pt 10 associate some form of a: suranee that they will be given u privilege of increa sing their sut marine strength There is no ter dency to link the two into one form agreement. but it is apparent th the French want it made clear tn whatever ratio they accept for cap tai ships shall not apply also to au; Hilary craft
 French representative also will wa such a modification of the nav holiday plan as will permit them reDlace their obsolescent battleshi with vessels of the post-Jutland ty so far as they can build them with the specified tonnage limit. B cause of the war, the French nav exDerts declare their fleet is badly need of replacements A replaceme DI,ovision would not be a surprise fhe final French program accept bv the other powers.
 Sub Problem Completed
 The submarine problem which to be taken up when the five pow ratio for capital ships is settled, pr se-ts increasing complications. Gre Britain wants to abolish the subm rines and has asked to present case against it at a public session 4he conference. There is no expect tfou even by the British howev