Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-21
PREMIER BRAND WILL EXPLAIN
WHY / IS NECESSARY FOR FRANCE
TO MAINTAIN POWERFUL ARMY
Britain and America
Have No Interest in
Land Force Question.
May Attempt to Draw
Others IntoPactWhich
Would GiveP Protection

Washington Nov. 2O.-{By The As
sociated Press. World attention will
shift from naval to land ornaments
when Mr.. BRAND. of France, speaks
Monday before the arms conference.
His address provided for at the last
plenary session OF the conference is
expected to be a very frank statement
of the reasons that impell Fraace to
maintain the largest army in the world
The subject to be covered ny the
French premler's statement is probaly
the point of most immediate Importance
to France in the entire conference In
informed circles. it is expected the
address will be defense OF French
military policy which the French au-
thorlties hope viii absolve that country
before the world from any suspicion
of aggressive designs on the continent.
In expressing general adherance of
France to the American place for naval
reductions, NJ. BRAND said to the con
ference:
Vital to France
When it comes on the agenda as it
inevitably will come, to the gnestion
OF land armament a question pagticu-
larry delicate for France as you are all
well aware. We have no intention to
srs-Af " Atf1r AuCstfbfa. we SHalf UuSWpf
your appeal. fully conscious that this
is question of grave and serious ma
ture for Us. The question will be rails
edit has been raised--and If there
is a country that desires, that demands
the question of land armaments should
be raised, it is France
Il hope that | shall be able to stste
publicly. what the position of France
is, so that the United States and the
world may know. And when + have
tried to prove this. when You have
listened to this demonstration. / am
gu te sure that you will be convinced
that France, after the necessities OF
safety and life have been adequately
secured. harbors no thought whatever
of disturbing the peace of the world
u. S. Not interested
Beyond this forecast of Premier Bril-
ands Intended utterances, there has
been nothing to indicate that the land
armament question is to be taken up
definitely for settlement in Washing
ton. SO far as can be learned, no
power represented at the conference
or reduction of land forces. All dele
CATIONS are armed with volumes of
dealing with armies among
other armament divisions but neither
the United States nor Great Britain
has any direct or immediate interest
IN the subject. both having already cut
their armies to the bone. 1t appears
wholly likely that If any proposal such
as the American naval plan was to be
submitted for armies. it would come
frem France or one OF the powers
possessing great arm strength. As
yet. there has been no sign of such
A plan.
Much interest has attached to Pre-
nier BRAND coming statement because
If what reference, yelled or otherwise.
lie might make to the well known
French desire that Great Britain and
he United States join in some form
If assurance of support for France.
should she be again attacked. In view
II the general attitude in Washington
N that suggestion. however. it is re-
,arded as unlikely that Premier Bri-
md will make even direct reference
0 it. 1t was thought far more prob.
ble that he would seek to give the
conference picture of the present
ituation of France. as visualized by
Ter government.
May Want Help
Meanwhile, American military ad-
Users are prepared for the initiation
f the land armament question, otser
roups are prepared to show that TIE
american army now is far below any
alto of land power which might be
uggested; that it is completely de-
aobilized: that no organized reserve
eyond paper structure. stands be-
ind it. with the exception of the ma
ional guard and that the standing army
oday is no more than a national police
orce and possibly is too small for even
hat work. There have been no meet
ngs OF the American military group.
heir work has been confined to statis-
zeal preparation to inform the Amer
san delegates on any point that might
rise. This data is in the hands OF
secretary Hughes and his colleagues
nd unless the experts are called in
lter. they have no active place in the
difference circles.
1t now appears likely that the con-
erence will. when it reaches the item
n the agenda providing for discussion
( new agencies of War. turn this
uestion over to joint commission or
The subject win involve
SO of air bombs. gas, submarines and
milar matters and it does not seem
kelly this discussion will be carried
n by the full conference.
WOMEN VOTERS MEET