Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-20
M. BRAND as head of the French
delegation.
ncIiponv of Position

M. BRAND as head of the French
delegation.
Dclicacy of Position.
The delicacy of the position In
which the French delegation found
themselves was increased by an
nouncement of the results of the
London conference in press dis
patches which came ahead of the
premier's instructions. In the furry
at delegation headquarters. some
lesser French officials talked of
the possibility of a cabinet crisis
in France. should 1t prove true that
M. BRAND had suddenly thrown
over the 100000 ton plan for which
his Representatives here were stout
" contending.
Delegates would not go into de-
tails regarding the premier's mes
sage. hut there were indications
that they had not found 1t dis
tasteful. 1t was declared to be
rather in the nature of counsel ana
advice than mandate. and was
said to leave the real decision to
those on the ground here. Whether
the $4,000 ton plan is to be
pressed again when the committee
or is assemblies tomorrow. was not
revealed.
Submarine Strength.
There were many indications
that with any recession on the
capital ship question. the French
would attempt to associate some
form of assurance that they will
he given the privilege of increas-
ing their submarine strength. There
Is no tendency to link the two into
one formal agreement, but 1t Is APP
parent that the French want 1t
made clear that whatever ratio
they accept for capital ships shai u
not npply also to auxiliary craft.
Naval Holiday Plan.
It is not improbable that the
French representatives also Will
want such a modification of the
naval holiday plan as will permit
them to replace their obsolescent
battleships with vessels of the post
Jutland type so far as they can
build them within the specltled
tonnage limit. Because of the war,
the French naval experts declare
their fleet is badly in need of re-
placements. A replacement pro-
vision would not be a surprise IN
the final French program accepted
by the other powers.
Increasing Complications.
The submarine problem which is
IN he taken I'M when the five-power
ratio for capital ships Is settled,
presents Increasing complications
Great Britain wants to abolish the
submarine and has asked to pre-
sent her case against 1t at a pup
lie session of the conference. There
is no expectation even by the Brit
ish. however, that they VIII carry
the point, but they do hope TO cut
in half the submarine tonnage ten
tatively suggested for the United
states. Great Britain and Japan IN
the American plan.
Under this plan, Great Britain
would have 10000 tons in suoma-
rines, the United States 10000 ana
Japan $4,000. Figuring out the ra-
ito on the same basis a $4,000 ton
capacity ship fleet for France
would allow her submarine
tonnage of 10000 tons. That would
he very far below the figure the
French desire. especially u they are
to accept the American figures on
capital ships.
The British desire TO restrict
closely submarine construction is
said to rest not only on considera-
tons of humanity but on principles
OF national difference. When used
against merchantmen, the under
water craft also constitutes a men
nee to the maritime nations OF
which Great Britain is the most In
Can CurtaiI Activities.
In view of the American ana
French naval experts, however,
and perhaps those also OF ]. NY and
japan. the activities OF the sub
marine against merchant shipping
can be curtaiIed by an agreement
on new rules of warfare, leaving
only purely military considerations