Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-23
FRENCH STAND
ON SUBMARINES
NOT PLEASING
Prospect That Clash With
British May Develop
Over Issue
WILL LOOK TO U. S.
BRAND Claims France Is Not Seek
ing Parity With Japan In Capital
Ships.

Washington, Nov. 23.-Prospects
for clash between the French and
British delegations in connection with
the naval reduction program appear
ed to be in process of development
tonight.
Despite a denial by Premier BRAND
this evening of report that France
will seek parity with Japan in the
matter Of dreadnaughts. British cir
cles were scarcely less concerned over
the frank admission of the French
leader that his nation desires sub
marine fleet for defensive purposes.
Great battleships," NJ. BRAND Of
ficially announced, have no interest
for France. What we need are sub
marines and light, fast cruisers for
coast defense
Regarding submarines, NJ. BRAND
stated that the limitation Of these
craft could not be finally dealt with
at this session Of the disarmament
conference because many Of the pow
ers vitally interested in submarines
are not represented here.
"The naval problem pre-eminently
occupies three powers, the United
States, Great Britain and Japan" he
said. "France is interested in it to
lesser extent. But France cannot
make promises alone and bind her
hands regarding submarines unless
ether nations participate"
The premier intimated France
fears that Germany might place sec
ret orders for construction of sub
marines in the ship yards of Norway.
Sweden, Denmark and Holland. and
suddenly start an aggressive. war on
delivery of the ships. r.
"The question Of submarines was
introduced first at The Hague, when
we opposed it. 1t came up next at
the Paris peace conference, when we
refused to adopt it. 1t was mention
ed at Genevr by the league of nations.
and now it. has come up here" said
NJ. BRAND.
"The British, with their great high
seas navy. always have opposed sub
marines, but powers with smaller
navies and with less money to spend
have fought consistently against re-
stricting this weapon as a defensive
arm" ,
The premier stated that the French
people would not consent to see their
navy and their fleet legislated out of
existence at foreign conference and
recalled the 1912 construction pro-
gram, which has been POSTPONED ow-
ing to the war.
France has no fixed project re-
earding her construction program nor
| the amount Of additions to her navy"
he said "But we are in accord with
Mr. Hughes proposals and, as said
at the opening session, we are behind
America
r. was intimated strongly tonight
that if the French premier means
that France will go before the con-
ference demanding sanction for an
ambitious submarine program of her
own she will encounter opposition.
Furthermore. it is stated. Great Bri-
tain in such event would look to
America TO support her protest.
That Great Britain would prefer
tn outlaw the submarine altogether
already has been stated by her rep-
resentativcs at the Washington gath
nring. and among those in position
to reflect the views Of her delega-
tion, it is declared. with emphasis.
that the statement of Premier BRAND
is not calculated to make the British
any less persistent in this regard.
It was pointed out that this attitude
on the part of the Britishers is
founded upon grim experience 1t
was the German submarine, not the
German battleship that threatened
the defeat of the allies upon the high
seas All the resourcefulness Of the
British, American and French naval
forces was needed to strike death
blow at the German U-boats. 1t is
the recollection of this experience
which moved the British to proceed
against the submarine and which will
move them, it can be stated authori
tatively. to resist any plan France
may advance before the conference
providing for the development Of a
submarine fleet. not 200 miles from
British shores, but 81 miles away.