New-York tribune., 1921-12-24
French Ask
oO.C00 Tons.
OF Submarines
Scsntlnued FROM page one>

ton OF the submarine problem
Admiral dc Bon. presenting the
French argument for large feet OF
submarines because they were "espe-
claliy the weapons OF a nation not hay
lug large navy" insisted that the
submarine would be factor in future
naval warfare in combating airships.
He pointed out that Germany had used
it successfully in the last WAY to at
tack enemy warships and to protect
her coasts. He contended that aboli-
ton OF the submarine was quite as inn
possible as the curbing of human in
Senaity, for the next war would be
carried on simultaneously under water.
on the surface and in the air.
In asking as much submarine tom
mage Tor France as Is allowed Great
Britain and the United States by the
Hughes ratio-9o,000 tens the French
spokesman expressed belief that Ihis
was the absolute minimum" that
france could accept, as I'VE have be-
tore US an entirely new weapon CON
corning which no one Of US can fore
see the possible transformation and
growth, perhaps in the near future"
ot course. the Admiral said, Germany
used her subm marincS' for moral effect
and succeeded in striking terror to the
hearts OF the world by sinking neutral
AS we'll RS enemy ships. He argued that
attacks on the merchant marine OF enc
my countries were justiiable and would
be less cruel and wastcful of human
life than military operations on land.
He referred TO attacks on enemy ships
only rs honorable WarfarcH
Admiral de Bon said that. contrary
10 the statement of Lord Lee Of Fare.
ham. First Lord OF the British Ad-
miralty, that Germany had only ten
| boats III service at any one time and
had built about 800. the French in
formation had been that Germany kept
rom fifteen TO twenty such craft at
sea simultaneously. and that at the end
Of the war she had nearly 100 U-boats.
which are still in existence"
Replying to Admiral de Bon. Mr..
Baltour said. in part:
Inc question before IS nov IS
whether you are going TO encourage an
Instrument Of war which, if It be en-
couraged, II indeed IL be permitted at
all, Will undoubtedly be used in the
illegitimate destruction Of commerce.
Now vino is that going to injure
There are two OF the powers repre-
sented here who | think have little or
nothing to fear or to consider in such
. connection. and I do not think either
Japan or tho (ntcd States has any
hing whatever 10 fear from that kind
of blockade.
In the Case os the United States
ihey are seif-coNtained ard ndepcnd
cnt of imports, ard the fact that they
arc very remote from sHy possible ap-
Ercssor would make me. lf J were "a
citizen OF either of those two great
and friendly states. very calm and easy
upon the subject of submarines. That
iA two out Of the Ave powers here
represented How about the other
three
Take She ease Of italy ithly is not
an island, but fot the purpose of this
Sc bate she also counts aa an island.
remember the extreme diiiicuity we had
10 supplying her even with the MINI
mann OF coal necessary TO keep her Al
sopais and manufacturing golng during
the war. doub, whether she could
feed herself or support herself or
continue a. an efficient Aght,ng unit Is
ske ware really blocknded. IL her com.
serce we're cut oN which vlvRre God
vsIll never be
~ atm considering the effect of q
blockade he fact thnt you are going
90 allow md give your general blessing
ia submarines At least 10 | gather
puts II n tae power Of every state that
has A svshoRrd AZ all te make Itself "a
formidable. aggressive eneny You
talk of the suhmsrne ne II ii were ~
nature something that encouraged d,
frnsc and discouraged attack. II be-
nothing of the Kind. a r5ete which is
feHlf no' dependent upon sea borne
commerce, bn' which has some access
to the seR. can. without building "a bat.
81" hip, without having any grent naval
estimater, make itseli one ~ thc most
formidable of nggress powors a. ne
maritime neignhors
cites Briand's Address
Now ! wil take tine ense OF france
France b. nearly self- supporting in
puint of food and Francr has "A great
land frontier which aives hey access
directly and indirectly, "a all the great
markets Of tire world. She has a posi.
fion of great security from tho side
of the eea. A. Briand assured ng If
very excellent terre that she Ia In &
position 90 very great Insecurity rs
the sidr 81 the land. and he certainly
Indicated 30 an attentive world that
AfnRee no' only REQUIRED n large arms
now. hut as events develop she might
aFain require assistance from over
seas. across the Atlantic or ncross tn,
Channel.
This encouragement of submarines
fisis passionate declaration that Il
would he almost criminal 80 interfpr'
vita the growth of this promising
shoaeh az present iafmntile wenpof
~ war how Is that going Ga be met
Herr I must call attention to a fac
which has hardly been touched upoi
on noticed Ia the course OF this debate
The ensy notice taken Of it. 80 far al
know ws In Admiral De lone speech
which wt heard Just row. la which a.
raid that Of COURSE If was irae that thi
caae of navies would he iucreaacd b.
the faci that you had 20 find small era
SO deal VITA submarines II submarine
were allowed. Hat. he said. you ceui,
pot these small craft from merehnn
ships and from your hshinR population
Nov, cnu France and Italy gct thas.
people from their merchant ahips ans
their fishing population Allow NC l.,
read the hwur~f, he whole wa
turned upon she paaAllsilltv Of keepins
sppn communications between huron,
and the United States OF America
tifeat Britain ard France and on sup
plyine itsiy with tho ahH0ntes roaui
sites af nstsonai life That WAS Ia,
most difficult problem of The wnf. ne
fore that you bad 20 dsvelop to III,
usma*t senr apxlliass craft which dcs
Nsth abmAfines. Every one of tn
thsve countries had "a dc evesythinl
ttes knew ~ carry out their object
Cheese are thetg comparative eontfibu
siupa 60 a.
''Franee. sbg ships. itely. ees ships
Great Britain. E,N4H snibs,