Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-21

Dy tHe SuD-COIlIIllLtee Out Lne
more than the texts of the cabl
The premier's messages showed that
reservations attached to acceptance of
the 10000 capital ship tonnage had
to do with Light cruisers, torpedo
boats and submarines" This has serv-
ed to bring the conference to a stand
still until the submarine issue can be
solved when the five-power capital ship
agreement will be completed automatic
ally. It is assumed the full naval anti
submarine craft as the two are inter-
woven in French and British opinion.
Minor Craft Hold Up Main Program
This implies that the auxiliary craft
elements of the American plan must
be shaped into agreement before the
conference committees can return to
ratify the capital ship agreement.
A direct step toward bringing up the
submarine issue in its first phase-the
British proposal to abolish submers-
ible war craft entirely-was taken
Tuesday. The British delegation ask
ed that plenary session of the con-
ference be called to permit presenta-
tion of their case against submarines
Probably such a session will be held
this week.
AT such an open session, Lord Lee
for the British group. will set out in
detail the technical and other reasons
why the British believe submarines
should be banned by the world as naval
weapons. He will read his statement
it is understood, great care having been
taken in its preparations. But there
are indications that even in that state
ment the British will show lack of con-
Al rhn va
the British view on submarines. 1t
will, it is understood, set out also the
secondary British proposal that if sub
marines are to be retained the tonnage
allotments of each power be cut far
below the existing strength principle
of the American proposals.
Viii Ask Radical Cut at Least
There is also a suggestion in British
quarters that should neither of these
views on submarines prevail, the Brit
ish would deem it necessary to seek
radical increase in their allotments of
craft as measure of
self defense. That means more light
airplane carriers, for all of these weap-
ons are used against submarines.
The cable correspondence between
Mr.. Hughes and Premier BRAND shows
that. as conference chairman, Mr..
Hughes dealt very frankly with the
situation created by the French pro-
posal to build 10 new capital ships.
II regret to say" he said. that after
canvassng the matter thoroughly and
taking the best information l can OBJ
tain, / am compelled to conclude that
it would not be possible on this basis
to carry through the agreement
Mr.. Hughes added@ after pointing
out that the retained fleet agreement
between Great Britain. the United
States and Japanese was contingent on
IAN appropriate agreement with France
and italy, and that there viii not
be the slightest difficulty in making
an agreement with Italy if we can
reach a suitable understanding with
France"
Then you will observe the attitude
of France will determine the success
or failure of these efforts to reduce
the heavy burden of naval armament
BRAND Adopts Hughes Policy
The American chairman also stress
ed his view that the French premier's
statement indicating to the conference
"the particular situation of France
with respect to land armament" SEEM
ed to point to 'the very great i'm
portance of reduction in naval arma-
ment".
AT this time" he added, "when we
are anxious to aid France in full re-
covery of her economic life, it would
be disappointing to be advised that
she was contemplating putting hun
dreds of millions into battleships''.
That portion of Premier Brands
reply which is taken as acceptance Of
the American 175.0O0 capital ship tom
mage proposal and beyond the strict
letter Of which, it is indicated, the
French group in the committee Of Il
did not SO today, reads as follows:
with regard to the tonnage Of
capital ships. that is to say, attacking
ships, which are the most costly,
have given instructions to our dele
gates in the sense which you desire.
I am certain / shall be sustained by
my parliament in this view. !.
But so far as the defensive ships
are concerned (light cruisers, torpedo
boats and submarinesl it would be
impossible for France without putting
itself in contradiction with the vote Of
The chambers to accept reductions cor
u ii 49,. - 80