New-York tribune., 1921-12-28
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-Rejec-
ton Of the American proposals for
limitation of submarine tonnage Will
be formally communicated to the
armament committee by the French
delegation tomorrow morning, it
was learned tonight. Official cable
dispatches from Paris to-day, it was
said, fixed a minimum of submarine
tonnage for France far in excess
not only of the amount proposed by
the United States for France, but of
the amount also fixed and accepted
by both Britain and the United
States.
Another development Of rrime in
portance to-day was the statement
in authoritative quarters that Japan
might move to have the four-p power
treaty imperative SO far as protec-
ton Of the main islands Of japan Is
concerned. 1t was this phase of the
treaty which recently caused SC
much opposition to develop in cer-
tain quarters in Washington.
$4,000 Tons Suggested
No statement was made by the
French here tonight a. to Just what
minimum Of submarine tonnage they
will demand, but it is believed that the
original French figure Of 10000 tons
may have been modified to 10000 tons.
In view Of the fact that both Britain
and the United States have accented a
maximum of $4,000 tons. tentatively. of
course, on agreements 10 suitable ra-
tios by the other powers, this position
Of the French is not conducive 10
harmonious agreement on the subma-
rlne question.
1t was admitted at the White House
oday that informal conversations al
ready had beeN had vi6h respect 10 a
future conference which would take I'D
the question Of submarines. This plan
of abandoning all hope Of compro-
misc on the submarine ISSUE ar this
present conference believed by
some of the delegates to be the only
practical method of dealing with the
problem.
These delegates point out that a
great deal has been ACCOMPLISHED bv
this conference in fixing the capital
ship ratio and establishing the ter.
year naval holiday so far as big ship
construction is concerned. Then, the
establishment of the our power Pa
ciflc treaty is regarded as a tremendous
achievement in the direction OF peace,
not to ignore the ending Of the Anglo
Japanese alliance and the danger OF a
war between the United States and
Jaran.
"Why, then" they ask, should the
conference go ahead and struggle wi h
an impossible situation such rs tie
French demands for submarine tom
mage in excess of that admitted to ba
satisfactory by Britain, the United
States and Japan?"
Think France May Change
Underlying this contention is tfs
thought that If France goes back homs
having prevented the conference from
accomplishing anything either on suf-
marines or all that class Of craft which
are used in fighting submarines. her
people will be quick to feel the moras
| sentiment of the world directed aEainss
her, with the result THAT at Il confer
ence year or two hence she may 10
much more reasonable.
Incidentally the Japanese have nos
yet gwen their decision on submarine
tonnage, waiting patiently until ths
q.
the Japanese delegation, said to-day
the Japanese delegation did not have
to refer this question to Toxic. having
entire authority to act. He said japan
would be entirely satisfied with the
submarine tonnage originally fixed in
the American plan, $4,000 tons. but
would not discuss whether. If tna
American and British tonnage were re-
duced from 10000 tons, On which tho
figure oT $4,000 tons was obtained hv
the application of the 5-5-3 ratio, Japan
would be willing to reduce further.
Political Aspect Suggested
On the submarine Issue, which, with
Shantung. is holding back the cons
clusion of the conference, control OF
the situation seems to have passed
from Washington. According to sore
of those most friendly 80 the French
Premier BRAND is using the submarin,
! issue in Washington as club to forci
Lloyd Georges hand on European mat,
ters.
Al any rate the American aelega-ior
rs it was pat by an Am rican spoaes.
man to-day, has offered its soluSil
and now must await the French yer.
diet on it before taking any furthts
action. There are those who fhiai
Mr.. Hughes ought TO appeal to +,
French people over the heads of n,
only the French delegates here there
has been much discussion Of the ~
legged appealing over the delegation.
head to Briand-bgt of Briand AMI II,
whole French government. 1t must r,
admitted that those holding this yie1
are in the minority. apparently. whil