The New York herald., 1921-12-20
Secretary Hughes Confers
With Frances Delegates,
but Results Are Withheld.
CONFIDENT OF HARMONY
Committee Of Fifteen to Take
Up Problem Again at
Meeting To-day.
BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.
ny HVUTS SEIDOIU.
Special Dispatch 10 THE New York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.

Negotiations that are expected to
reconcile the conflicting naval ambi-
tions of France with those favored by
the American, British, Japanese and
Italian delegations were actively ini-
tiated tonight.
For more than two hours Secretary
Hughes conferred with Ambassador
de Bon. with view of bringing about
an agreement that will permit the
completion of the naval structure, al
ready far advanced.
While the participants in the con-
ference. which was held at the State
Department, declined to give any in
formation regarding it. there is very
good reason TO believe that the French
of the conference generally will be re-
cast to fit into the original Hughes
formula, with possibly little chisel-
ing.
Reflected Professional Views.
1t appears from developments to-day
that the request which France unex-
pectedly made Friday for greater cap
ital ship privileges than her defensive
needs are considered to justify was a
reflection OF the professional naval
view and not that of the Government
itself This does not mean that the
BRAND Ministry was satisfied with the
ratio OF capital ships allotted to France
and italy under the Hughes plan; but
it does mean that the figures prepared
by Admiral de Bon and presented to
the naval subcommittee of fifteen last
Friday did not correctly state the re-
quirements of France in that line.
After day devoted to informal con-
ferences of all of the delegates over the
disturbing French proposition. it seems
to be the conclusion of the majority OF
them that tomorrow will see clear
ing up of the situation. although the
French delegates persisted in their
policy of Standing pat" on their terms.
During the day NJ. Sarraut received
a voluminous message from NJ. BRAND
at London in response to his request
for instructions.
Secretary Hughes also received
report from Ambassador Harvey re-
garding the conference of the latter
with the French Premier Both NJ.
Sarraut and Secretary Hughes de-
clined to reveal the contents or pur-
port of the communications.
Results Not Auununced
Late this afternoon the three French
delegates were invited TO the State
Department for a conference with
Secretary Hughes. Following it the
announcement was made that the re-
suits would not be made public until
the French position had been made
clear at the session of the committee
of fifteen tomorrow morning. There
the matter rests for the moment and
it is admitted that "the situation.
while delicate. is not critical"
There is a wide range Of guessing
on the character of the instructions
the French delegates received from
their Premier. but very little reliable
information upon which to base them.
On one point the delegates are gen
orally agreed. They expressed the
fullest confidence in the ultimate con-
currence of views between the French
and American delegates.
The attitude of the French delegates
toward those Of this country continue
TO be most friendly and assurance was
given Secretary Hughes by Ambassa-
dor Jusserand tonight OF the desire
of the French Government to assist
their American associates to accom-
plish the reforms projected by the lat
ter with as little embarrassment as
possible.
It Is admitted by French spokesmen.
however. that the allotment OF capital
ships TO France is not viewed favor
ably either by the Government or the
people of their country. The figures
by Admiral dc Bon. while
by some of tho French
spokesmen to be somewhat extrava-
giant" are defended as being nearer the
defense necessities than those regarded
as reasonable" by the American. Brit
ish. Japanese and Italian delegates.
The points of difference are said to
relate rather TO tonnage than TO types.
This justifies TO some extent the dom
inant opinion that the French request
for maximum capital ship tonnage can
finally he modified through the expan-
sion of auxiliary and submarine allot-
ments.
UNDERTAKINGS nt Stnnhstiii.
Conference undertakings were ut a