The Washington herald., 1921-12-20
TALK WITH HUGHES
Submarine Fleet Urged as
Necessary to Coast
n.fon..
BRANDS ADVICE
ALTERS SITUATION
British Continue Their
Opposition to Under
sea Craft.

France will reduce her demand
for a capital ship tonnage Of 57o.eOo
tons under conditions"
She wants assurances that her
ratio of auxiliarIes. including sub
marines. shall be adequate to what
she believes necessary for her ma
tional defense.
Secretary of State Hughes was Of
hcially appraised Of this fact late
yesterday afternoon. Albert Sar-
raut, chairman OF the French dele
cation; Ambassador Jules Jusser-
and. Vice Admiral de Bon and the
French Official interpreter conferred
with him in his private Office in the
state Department No outsiders
were present No statement wEs
forthcoming after the meeting. But
certain American and French
sources were very distinctly hopefSi
following the conference.
ProeeeaI.E, Kept secret.
Efforts to have the nat ststemen,
agreed 60 that progress had been
made failed. Beyond explaining
that a conference had been held
American sources refused 20 talk.
The French stated that they had
/ presented their case to Mr. HuEhe-
That was as far as they were will
ing TO go.
Other conference circles were
very much in the dark. II was ac-
cepted that there had been a general
discussion OF the unfortunate situaa
ticn that has resulted from the ac-
tion Of the French in refusing to
accept the capital ship ratio sug-
sested by the American and Brit
/ - -
/ gation very carefully explained that
IN making their original dena nd
I they 1sd followed out Instruction.
from Paris. They had carefully ex-
| planned that they wanted to bring
their feet up 20 the position that Il
would have occupied had e not
been for the war. And they insisted
that they had not defied the confer
ence. They were at all times will
ing to compromise 20 any extent
that would not endanger French nz-
tionsl life But they suggested
that. after all. questions Of ratio
on the land and sea were minor pro-
posals at this Tins
Committee Meets Today.
There will be another meeting of
the committee on naval armament,
yclept the committee Of fifteen. to-
day at IL o'clock At that time the
complete extent OF the French deci-
sions will be communicated. Until
then officials declared last night.
there could be no complete under
standing. France has no desire TO
tie up the conference. officials said
But she insists that she is entitled
to consideration on every suggested
proposition.
There is no real reason for sug-
gested final disagreement st any
point But the French delegation.
which originally resented the sc-
tion OF Secretary Hughes in cabling
directly TO Premier BRAND. after
the discussion with the Secretary
late yesterday. agreed that Il was
entirely justified.
J. Recognises BRAND n. Chief.
An authoritative explanation was
given. on behalf OF the American
delegation. OF Secretary Hughes acs
tion in cabling instructions 20 Har-
/ vey TO see BRAND. The French del.
egates still here were reported ia
be peeved at this apparent disres
gard % their authority as pleni-
potentiaries. AS a matter OF fact
Mr.. Hughes still recognizes Briane
as head OF the FrenSh delegation.
and. In view OF his exchanges with
the French premier prior TO Brands
departure from Washington. the
Secretary Of State felt absolutely OBJ
ligated to talk with Premier Priand,
and no one else, on the crisis prob
lens.
Prior 10 the receipt Of the Bri-
and csblegram the French delega-
tion was prepared to reduce its
claim to ten new capital ships. They
had begun TO consider a maximum
strength Of seven, giving a TONNAGE
Of 2t5.OOO. the building Of wh -
would begin in ten years tinN.
Thss France could not be accused
OF wrecking the naval holiday.
BaItour Oners Objection.
. The British are not prepared to
support the demand for even seven
battleships and battle cruisers. Nr.
Ralfour has pointed out TO t.e
French that before the war France
was content with a navy one-th, I'd
Of the strength OF the British. HA
.~ls that that standard should
sufffce,now. especially as France -
menaced by no one.
The objection OF the British -
not so much 10 capital ships that
France might build in the ensuirg 2
ten or fifteen years. but to the pro-
DortionatelY strong submarine feet
which she would begin 20 build i'm
mediately.
IL that unless Sarraut today re-
duces the French demand TO. 200 =
600 tons, the British will insist tast
/ Ad