Evening star., 1921-12-29
Lack of Limit May Open Contest Build More Destructive Undea Graf


maintained the largest submarine
fleet in the world.
"She could use that fleet If she
chose he declared, "for commerce
destruction. And it is difficult to be-
lieve that in time of stress she would
not SO use it. If Britain were un-
armed against submarines it was evil
dent" he said, that France. using
that felonious weapon, could destroy
her very existence"
declaration of Frances necessity for
submarine fleet of 10000 tons.
Pointing out the. unbalanced propor-
ton to a 175.000-ton fleet of capital
vessels. he asked. significantly: What
did he want the 10000 tons of subma-
rines for?
Could Not Fail to Notice.
Reiterating his point that subma-
rines were weapon for the destruc-
''it is not unreasonable that Great
Britain, when threatened by establish
ment within few miles of her coast
of vast fleet of submarines which
We're of no use except to destroy COM
merce, to say candidly she could not
tion that would thus be threatened
NJ. Sarraut, in presenting the French
naval program. said his government
had consented to the reduction to
$4,000 tons of capital ships, as pro-
posed by the American group. and he
voiced his belief that the conditions
of applicat tion to this agreement would
be easy to settle.
Taking up the question of subma-
rines and auxiliary naval craft, NJ.
Sarraut declared his delegation has
been instructed to consent to no con-
cession on the above figures" (He
alluded to the 10000 tons for subma-
viz lio
vesselS.)
Hughes Makes Reply.
ITO sum up. France accepts as re-
CARDS capital ships the sacrifice which
she must face in order to meet the
views of the conference and which
represents an important reduction of
her normal sea power NJ Sarraut
declared. she limits the program of
the future constitution of her fleet
to 100000 tons of auxiliary craft and
to 10000 tons for submarines"
In replying to NJ. Sarrauts outline
of the French program Secretary
Hughes expressed his qualification at
the French decision to limit her capi-
tai ships tonnage. But. Mr.. Hughes
continued. if submarines were to be
available for defensive purposes In
they should bear some definite pro-
portion to the fighting fleets" He
added that the French suggestion of
10000 tons ION any basis of practi-
cable ratio" would involve the as
sumption that Great Britain and the
United States would increase their
submarine tonnage proportionately
with the French.
Adding that it was a serious ques-
tion whether anything could be ac-
complished toward limiting sub
marine and auxiliary craft tonnage.
the secretary said he did not desire
at this time and in view of the exist
ing situation to discuss details"
AN agreement for expansion of
armament was not under considera-
tion.' he said. reminding the COM
mittee that 1.-The conference was
called to consider the limitation of
armament"
Expressing his disappointment over
the French stand on submarines and
auxiliary craft. Mr.. Balfour voiced
his satisfaction over the French
decision on capital ship tonnage.
adding, however. that - did not
regard the French position in this
regard as an Overwhelming sacri-
fee" The figure of 175,O00 tons
would be found to mean an increase
for France which he did not begrudge,
he said. He also pointed out that
while a French submarine fleet of
10000 tons would only equal the
fleets Of Great Britain and the United
States. it would represent $4,000 tons
of "a newer type" that either of the
other navieS did not possess.