The New York herald., 1921-12-31
Sarraut Glad Of Opportunity
to End Misunderstand-
ing, He Says.
HARMONY is EXPECTED
Trouble Caused by Articles
Defending Subsea Warfare
Believed to Be Over.
by RALPH COURTNEY.

Special Dispatch to TIE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. d. c., Dec. 30.
The frank explanation which took
place to-day between the French and
the British is expected in French cir
cles this evening to be the means of
preserving the harmony of the Wash
ington conference. The French are
so disturbed at the criticism directed
against them recently from many
quarters that M. Sarraut is under
stood to have gone so far as to notify
Paris that his position was becoming
very uncomfortable here.
Almost in so many words, NJ. Sar-
raut stated to-day that rather than
have the conference continue in this
way he would prefer it terminated.
NJ. Sarraut expressed satisfaction to-
night that an opportunity had at last
been given to him OF controverting the
British allegations against France. as
outlined to-day by Lord LeeA
II have only one regret" said NJ. Sar-
raut, "and that is that this has not
happened before. The British until
now had not given the reasons for their
mistrust; our experts had been in con-
tact with theirs, and nothing was said
about the accusations they now make.
1T develops that the British base
their mistrust on an article in "a paper
which neither represents Frances policy
nor In any way involves the opinion OF
~
miralty.
I'm France any one can write what
ever he likes. and you cannot attribute
opinions given In magazines to the Gov
ernment. I am, for instance. Minister
Of Colonies. and there Is one colonial
writer says continually that / am too
liberal and that l don't know how to
administer our possessions. II is OBJ
vious at any rate this is not my opinion
as member of the Government.
II am very pleased that the present
occasion has offered itself I'm order that
these misunderstanding may be dissi-
pated. The French came to Washing
ton with the best OF intentions. We want
to do everything we can to make this
conference a success. We were asked
by America TO collaborate with other
nations In the work of peace. and the
first thing necessary Is that we should
have confidence in one another.
1T isn't fair suddenly TO turn and
strike out az one OF the nations present.
At least 1t is due to us all that our
programs should be listened TO with
understanding and that We should have
the opportunity of talking things over
quietly. We gave our point of view and
" any explanations had been wanted we
should have been only too glad TO furnish
them. hope that in future discussions
the spirit OF confidence will reign which
should exist between friends. Let us
4ook upon these things as lovers quar-
rcls that have no real importance"
France ~ awaiting instructions in
regard to Root resolution No. with
the Balfour addition which pledges the
five Powers now discussing naval mat
ters not to use submarines against rner-
chantmen in any war that may arise
among the Powers in question. NJ. Sar-
raut said tonight that he momentarily
expected word from Paris and that
doubtless a message was already on It's
way.
As far as can be gathered. this qucs-
tion is likely TO be settled without great
deal Of discussion. the French contend
ing that the problem is one which re-
quires a great deal of elucidation and In
wolves new principles or international
warfare which suggest still further re-
striction In the use of other naval forces
rot exclusively submarine.
France Is prepared to agree IN principle
to the Root resolutions az soon as all the
other Powers have signflcd their assent.
but the probability IS that tho Balfour
addition will be the subject of counter
proposals II II Is not abandoned alto
gether by the conference.