, 1921-12-28

to any agreement, the American
compromise proposal having been re
jected finally and completely by the
French.
Casting aside the possibility of har.
monizing views on submarine ton
mage h American delegation brought
forth n new proposal to limit the
size OF submarines and other auxii.
AIRY craft to a maximum OF 10000
toas-
The presentation OF the French
viewpoint. based on calculations OF
her naval experts and reinforced By
approval OF the French cabinet meet
ing yesterday in Paris, was followed
by lengthy discussions. tho commit.
tee adjourning the session after two
hours debate TO meet again at 3
o'clock
Albert Sarraut. head OF the French
delegation, II was Understood, pre-
sented with an air of nnality the
declaration that France could not ac-
cept less than 5000 o tons of auxii.
larry tonnage, in addition to n sub
marine tonnage of 10000. The Amer.
lear compromise proposal would have
given France about $1,000 tons Of
submarines.
The British and Japanese delega-
lions are understood TO have stated
that. In view OF tho French stand on
submarines. they would both feel
compelled to reserve action on the
tonnage ratio for auxiliary craft al
iotted Great Britain and Japan un.
der the American plan.
Italian spokesmen following pre-
sentat,on Of the French demand. II
wns said. expressed regret that
France had not seen its way clear 10
accept a smaller tonnage. and Japan.
also through her delegation spokes-
men, declared that the French de.
mands amounted to something which
Japan could not hope to sanction I'M
der the American proposal.
The French delegation declared ad-
herence to the capital ship ratio
agreement despite disagreement on
submarines. but with the reservation
tina she desired 10 begin rsb hiding
replacements in 1927. although this
did not mean hat she intended plac-
ing them in the water before tho re
placement period provided under the
capital ship agreement.
Agreed hat there was no hope OF
an agreement on total submarine ton
mage, the committee urned from the
submarine question 20 that of auxii.
larry craft The proposal that the size
of any warship other than a capital
ship or an airplane carrier be lin.
tied to 10000 tons in future was put
forward and was under discussion
when the midday adjournment was
taken.
frIo zo11an t.rAnnuaI 20 1frntt Tho
size OF auxiliary craft to 10000 toni
also provides tina such vessels shall
not carry guns greater than eight
inch.
The American delegation. It was
learned after the meeting. plans later
to present a proposal dealing with air
plane carriers, probably suggesting
limitation OF size as well as number.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2s.-By The
Associated Press).-FTance's last word
on h question If limitation OF sub
marine tonnage-a reiteration of her
claim ms set forth last week by her
naval experts-will be delivered today
to the arms conference. It was said
by members of the French delegation
"a they went into today's meeting of
the conference naval committee.
Reports that there might be further
discussion Of the subject with a view
to persuading France to pare down
her claims was described by members
of the delegation "a "a joke"
Delegation members went on to say
that France. after consultation of her
highest naval experts and after the
decision reported as having been
reached yesterday by the council of
ministers. cannot possibly in n way
reduce the ratio of submarines which
she considers Indispensable FOR her
safety.
Admiral De Bon, in outlining last
week h needs of Franco for protec-
ton of her coasts, colonies and mari
time communications. gave the ap'
proximate estimate OF 90, 1000 tons. The
American compromise proposal con
templates that France maintain her
existing submarine strength mount
ing to about $1,000 tons.