New-York tribune., 1921-12-17
Reported French Dele
gates Will Propose New
Ratio for Ten New
35,OOO-Ton Battleships
Harding Defines
Effect of Treaty:
Asserts Four-Power Pact
Does Not Require Sig
natory to Take Up Arms
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-France
is threatening the naval limitation
agreement just reached, according to
circumstantial reports emanating
from other delegations to-day. In
one quarter it was asserted that she
was demanding ten 35,O00-ton battle
ships, while it has been known for
some time that she was determined
to have large auxiliary fleet, par
ticularly submarines.
Pressed as to the truth of the sit
uation, spokesmen for the French
delegation declined to answer ques-
tions, leaving the inference at least
that the reports persistently put out
IN other quarters are correct.
Would Bar Submarines
Coupled with the question of the
French demands those interested in
the naval ratio program found much
food for thought in a declaration by
Arthur j. Balfour, head of the Brit
ish delegation, that Great Britain
would propose formally to the con-
ference in open session the total
abolition of submarines.
While the naval questions were
under study Administration spokesme
for the first time gave an official in
depreciation regarding the four-power
treaty. declaring under it there was no
obligation on the part of any signatory
to take up arms to enforce its pro-
visions. President Harding, it was
said, believed that there was nothing
in the treaty which bound any of its
signers to enter into armed conflict
because of a decision by the other
two.
French Policy a Surprise
The situation, with respect to the
French naval program, is particularly
mystifying to observers here, in view
of the fact that Prenliers BRAND and
Lloyd George are about to confer in
London on the matter of German
reparations, and it is perfectly we'll
known that the present financial straits
of the French government viii! be
dwelt upon by M. BRAND at that time.
Yet, although the British and Ital-
ians, disturbed over what they regard
as the threat of France to destroy the
naval limitation agreement, are putting
this situation before the world by hav-
ing their spokesmen discuss it at
| length with representatives of the
press, the French remain silent, neither
making their claims and giving the
arguments for them. denying them.
Meanwhile the British have taken
the lead in urging that the United
States should take the initiative in lay
ing down ratio for France and Italy,
just as Mr.. Hughes presented the ratio,
the names Of the ships to be kept and
those to be scrapped, at the opening of
the conference. The British have sug-
gested that the ratio should be made
5-5-3-l.71.7. In American naval quar-
ters the opinion is expressed quietly
that the French and Italian fleets
! should be peSged at each, compared
with for Japan and for Britain and
the United States.
Argument of Italians
SO far there has been no hint that
! the American delegation will take this
course upon itself. 1t might be said
here, however, that it is evident OH
| every hand in Washington that the
I French have been outgeneraled by both
| the British-who fear a feet of French
submarines-and the Italians who in
sist upon a navy equal to that of any
Mediterranean power--in all the pre-
liminary maneuvering so far ON the
question of French and Italian naval
strength.
The Italians have made an argument
which is particularly appealing to the
American delegation and to those of
other governments not directly affect
ed. They point to the fact that they
have reduced their army to 100000
men, while France made her first big
drive in the conference.-the appea, 81
briand-to prevent any attempt to re-
duce the French army
Next the Italians say they do not
want to increase their navy; indeed,
they are willing to reduce it-say they
thought this the purpose of the confer
ence rather than to increase they
do think they ought to have a fleet as
strong In every class of vessels as that
of any other Mediterranean power.
The British talk earnestly oil the
utter lack of need by France for feet,
as fna N"tish see it. pointing to the
Anglo-French entente and to whaI
happened IN the war, and then coming
quickly to the financial situation.
Source of Funds Mystery
One of the reasons for the failure
of the French to make any headway in
their demands so far is that no one
outside their own delegation is dis
posed to take seriously the idea OF
France borrowing hundreds os millions
Of dollars--ten such ships as she is
declared to demand would cost in the
neighborhood of 100000, ,00o--to build
q acof xpftela IN tnf IL
stage of the proceedings has not been
; satisfactorily explained.
Neither in the public conferences
where the newspapers may report ia
the world their contentious. nor in
private talks with newspaper men--s
method used by every other delega-
tion--have the French explained why
they thought they ought to have this
big navy.
q S.i, saa.si Il, recea,d 4 :.