The Arvada enterprise., 1921-12-29
Arms Conference Seeks Agree.
ment on Submarines and
Light Cruisers.
FRENCH DEMANDS the caux
British Want U-Deat Abolished In
Warfare-Aiiisd Supreme Council
70 Call for Commission On Ns.
Mobilization o. Central Europe
-Hsnry Wattsrsen Dies.
sy EDWARD w. P,ckARo

e UBAARINEs. light cruisers and
y torpedo boats occupied most Of
the attention Of the conference dele
gates and naval experts In Washing.
ton during much Of the week. The way
the controversy, II 30 It may he desix-
mated. developed. is Interesting. First
France asked that she be allowed to
have about 35O,OOO tons Ot capital
ships. which would give her q ratio
of 3.S. She said she wanted to build
from Ave to ten battieships. thougi,
not at once, and supported her claim
by showing how her navy had been
neglected during the war. The other
delegates could mot stand for this.
and Secretary NJ state Hughes COM
municated directly with Premier Bt-
and. who was In London. In his
cahleGram Mr.. Hughes said:
Il feel that the suggestion that has
becn made that France should build
ten capital ships In replacement with,
a tonnage Of S0O,O(O tons or more suG-
gests program Of such magnitude as
10 raise the greatest difficulties. In
fact. regret to say that after cam
vasslng the matter thoroughly and
taking the hest Information I can Oh
tain, I am compelled to conclude that
It would not be possible Oh this basis
to carry through the agreement"
Rriand at once sent Instructions to
the delegation which permitted II to
recede from tile demand concerning
capital ships and agree to the ratio at
It's hxed By the conference. NO far as
vessels Of that class are concerned.
Rut. for purpo~es Of national defense.
the French asked special consldera-
tlon in the matter Of submarines and
light cruisers. OF the former they
wished to be allowed 76.0GO tons. and
NJ the latter 10000 tons. This, In tho
aggregate. would give France an aux
Hilary naval rating of about S.5.
BRAND said France felt she must pro-
tect her tilrss coasts, On the Atlantic.
the North sea and the Mediterranean.
and should have plenty Of light cruls.
rrs because Germany ls permitted to
build ships OF that type. He als0 In.
iimated that Russia might build YES
sells on the Baltic which Germany
could use against France. He vIEor
ously disclaimed any Idea that there
could be hostilities between France
and Great Britain.
Great Britain stlll insisted on the
tWal abolition Of the submarine In
warfare. and Mr.. Balfour asked that
q pienary session Of the conference Ike
called no that he and his fellow dele.
gates could make their plea for this
In public. But the British stood alone
In this contention and II was predict
I'd the conference would refuse 10 out
law the undersca boWts. However. the
Americans showed n disposition to
compromise by accepting reduction
NJ the submarine tonnage allowed
t;rrat Britain and the United States.
This. ~ II stauds. II R0.0O toms. The
British asked that At least II be rut
10 5000 tons. The Americans indi.
Gated they might he satisfied with q
7SO00.ton maximum. n this last hg.
nre II agreed upon II may operate TO
reduce Frances allowance. since that
Il the tonnage she II asking.
DWEsfDENT HARDING. while talk.
! Ing 10 the correspondents Tuesday.
seems to have made slight slip which
,a,,setl a lot of excitement md sup.
piieti some ammunition to BOrnh.
Heed and other opponents Of the four
power Pacific trtvty. who assumed
there was q division between the
President and ti,e delegates In con.
str,,lug the agreement. Mr.. Harding
In his interview expressed the oyApien