The New York herald., 1921-09-15
g. s. Must Give Assurance
Of Military Assistance to
Protect Frontier if Ger
many Attacks.
PACT MUST BE DEFINITE
Otherwise Predicts Failure Of
Harding Conference Except
as to Americas Far East
Relations.

Special Gable to THE NEW York HBaALp.
Co1w<0ht, 1891, bv THE New YoRK HraALp
Esw York Herald Bureau.
4Avts, Sept. II.
fASce's price at the forthcoming
conference in Washington for reduc-
tion, II not the absolute elimination,
OF her land and naval forces, accord
ing to information to THE New
York HERALD correspondent here from
euthentic sources, will be definite
proposal that the United States will
not only lend its moral force in COM
pelling Germany to pay for the dam
age she caused in Europe, but also
that the United States give a con-
crete assurance that in case of ag-
gression by Germany America will
supply France with military aid,
snd, II necessary, protect Frances
frontiers.
Unless this is accorded, it is be-
lieved in French Official circles,
President Harding's conference will
prove unsuccessful save in the set
tlement of Americas relations with
Japan and China, in which the
French are not taking great interest.
With Premier BRAND insisting
that he will participate in the Wash
fngton conference unless his Cabinet
is overthrown in the meantime-in
which event Rene viviani will be the
most likely candidate to lead the
French delegatton--French experts
rave been busy for month compil-
Ing statistical proof that France has
actually made substantial steps to-
ward disarmament since the armis-
tice.
Maximum Effort Reached.
Considering the increased cost of liv-
ing since 1913. France maintains she
has now attained a maximum effort,
unless some military alliance, sucn as
that provided by the non-effectiv,
Anglo Franco American treaty of 1918.
can be evolved
The New York HERALD correspond
ent here has obtained an analysis
which will be presented in Washing
ton by the French delegation and
which the French consider conclusive
proof that, despite the increasing cost
Of material and the upkeep of person
mel, frances expenditures for her
army and navy next year will be con-
siderably less than it was In 1913, as,
although the cost factor is now esti-
mated at between three and fourfold,
the budget allowances are based on
not more than twofold in the navy
and very little more in the army chap
ters of the budget.
The sessions of the Assembly of the
League of Nations held in Geneva re-
Gently have shown that NJ. Viviani in
tends to make a feature of this COM
parison should he attend the Washing
ton conference on the limitation Of
armaments. contending that while
France still leads European nations In
military strength, this policy is for her
own protection and for the carrying
out of duties imposed on her by the
various peace treaties.
Navy Not Beyond 1913.
The French Government, through NJ.
viviani or NJ BRAND. will contend that
the low factor In connection with the
budget for the navy provides ample
proof that France is not imperialistic,
as. despite her foreign possessions.
France does not intend to Increase her
naval strength during the next few years
beyond the naval establishment fixed
for 1919, abandoning entirely the con-
struction Of dreadnoughts. although
bringing other naval categories UP to
standard by replacing war losses.
In so far as the French army Is con-
cerned, II Is now intended to decrease
the cffcctives by $4,000 during 1922.
Frances army budget next year will
total 3s759, 100000 francs In a total
budget Of slightly less than $4,000. o0o.-
700 francs. which Is n considerable re-
duction under the 1921 budget OF 49,
4oS,0o0.oo0 francs. OF which 4,462.00o.-
600 francs constituted the army allow
ance.
In 1919. however the army budget
was 9S3.000,ooo francs In a total budget
, OF 4.73s.ooo.0o0 francs. so that while
the ratio before the war was approx
imatcly onc-fourth. that OF last year as
well as next years calculations. did
not. and will not. exceed one-sixth de-
rpite the heavy war cost and various
allowances for research and pensions
and the upkecp OF military laboratories
and manufactures.
Numerically. Frances army shows a
steady diminution since the war. In
1919 the average effectives totalled
$4,000. with forty-eight divisions OF
infantry and ten divisions of cavalry.
but since the revision OF the military
Continued on FIFTH Page
When you think % writing.