The New York herald., 1921-12-16
FRANCE AND ITALY
SPAR OVER TONNAGE.
Both Delegations Will Not
Make Decisions Without
Approval From Home.
SUBMARINES INVOLVED
Conference May Not Terminate
Bntil Middle of January,
French Believe.
By RALPH COURTNEY.

BY RALPH COURTNEY.
Special Despatch to THE New YoxK HmlLo
New York Herald Bureau
Washington, ID. c., Dec. Is.
The naval armament Limitation agree
ment between America, Britain and
Japan reached to-day in Washington is
expressly stated to be dependent upon
a satisfactory settlement of the ton
mage to be allotted to France and Italy,
and in view OF the lengthy negotiations
which may be necessary to establish sat
isfactory ratios for these two countries
it is thought possible in French and Ital-
ian circles that a final settlement may
not be forthcoming for some time.
The Italian delegation officially de-
clares it has no power to take decisions
without reference to Rome, and the same
situation is understood to exist with the
French. Reports in French quarters to-
day tend to show that at to-days naval
meeting only the most general aspects
Of France and Italy's position were
touched upon.
That the negotiations concerning the
French and italian allotments may take
some time is also supported by the
known desire on the part of France to
shelve the submarine question for the
moment and England's reported deter
mination to force this issue at Wash
ington.
In any circumstances the British and
French Pre1niers are not meeting for
their forthcoming conversation concern
ing France-British policy until Decem-
ber 10. and II may, therefore. be i'm
possible for the French and British dele
cations in Washington to take any final
action on naval questions until these
conversations are terminated.
Conference May Last a Month.
The latest representations in French
circles this evening are that the Wash
ington conference will possibly not ter
inmate until the middle Of January.
Yesterday an authoritative member of
the French delegation stated that
France desired tonnage in capital
ships Of 3l5,000, and when the French
delegates arrived at to-day's conference
it is reported that exception was taken
by other delegates to this public pro-
nouncement of Frances naval require
ments.
France maintains that if she had con-
tinued her naval construction during the
war she would have twenty-eight capi-
tai ships Of tonnage of at least 10000,
which, reduced by the 40 per cent. naval
cut now proposed, would leave her with
at least 10000 tons, or &5 600 tons with
the addition OF the 1900 tons or so
which Japan has over and above her
10000. This Is, however, so near the
Japanese ratio that in view Of Frances
prominent position in the world she con-
siders no distinction should be made be-
tween her ratio and that of Japan.
italy says she wants a. capital ship
tonnage equal to that of France, but
she is understood to be willing to accept
something like 10000 II France will take
the same amount. England Is believed
to support Italy in wanting to reduce
the French capital ship tonnage to this
figure.
Want Unanimous Decision.
Negotiations seem likely, therefore, to
be of protracted character unless Pre-
mier BRAND and Prime Minister Lloyd
George succeed in cutting this Gordian
knot in London.
The fear under which the French dele
CATION live at present is that a majority
decision be taken by the conference
which will show England, italy. Japan
and possibly America in favor OF giving
France only 10000 tons in capital
ships. Mr.. vfviani before he left Wash
ington on Tuesday foresaw this possi-
billty and declared 1t would be unfor-
tunate to see anything but unani-
nous decision coming from the Wash
ington conference. Such an eventuality
he went 80 far as to describe as de
testable' in his eyes.
The official communioue issued to-
night does not say the number OF sub
marines to be allowed to each country
must also be decided before the 5-5-3
ratio becomes binding among America.
Britain and Japan, but the presumption
is that France will be asked, contrary
to her wishes, to accept a submarine
tonnage equal to whatever ratio Of capi-
tai ships she Is considered entitled to.
This is likely to arouse the greatest OPP
position in France, and the eventual pos
ability exists Of trading France a larger