The New York herald., 1921-12-23
BRAND MAY REFUSE
REQUES7BY HUGHES
France Not Expected to Cut
Her Demands for Auxili-
airy Vessels.
NAVY EXPERTS OPPOSE
Premier Will Hold Plenary
Conference With Them
To-day.
by LAURENCE HILLS.

Special Cable to THE New YoRx lIEeALp.
Copyright, 1891. by THE NEw York HEnArp
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. Dec. 22.
The answer of the French Govern
ment to Secretary of State Hughes's
latest note requesting France further
TO decrease her demands for auxiliary
MySssels. M depends on the outcome of "a
tasty Conference which Premier
BRAND held with Minister of Marine
Guisthau Immediately on his arrival
here from London this evening and
upon another plenary conference of
Frances navy chiefs tomorrow
morning.
II Premier BRAND abides by the
opinion of the naval experts. sup
ported undoubtedly as they are by
preponderant political opinion here,
Washington must expect a refusal.
In France the issue has become "A
sharp ono. interviewer with ii is the
old resentment against England,
famed again in this case by her rails
ing, as French opinion seems TO see
it, of the submarine question in a way
that could not help but affect France
disadvantageously.
The feeling Is being engendered
here that England is deliberately try
ing to remove France as "A naval fac
tor of any size in the future This is
hurting French pride. which is placing
the responsibility for the presentation
of this issue in it's present embarrass-
ing form not on America, which called
the conference, but entirely at the
door OF Great Britain.
Has Made One Concession.
Having made concession on capital
ships. apparently without taking the
advice of the Superior Naval Council, NJ
BRAND faces political situation of the
gravest character II he yields 20 Mr..
Hughes on this point. England is being
accused In political circles as an ally
which is playing absolutely false to
French interests and as seeking 10 de-
privc France OF the means OF protecting
her colonies while insuring the protec-
tion OF her own colonies under the
Washington plan.
Even conservative newspapers like the
Journal dcs Debdfs insist that France
cannot give in. Auguste Gauvin in an
article tonight writing: THE position
taken by England reveals her In part
Of singular blindness. Supported by the
United States, whom she has taken into
tow, she demands of France sacrifices
t1tv ira e. L.- t.,t,
imagines that In officially supprcssing
submarines she would be protected
against the submarine peril What an
error
"She accuses US Of retaining means Of
combating her and Of compromising the
grand Pacific scheme siie has erected.
What Injustice For such suppression
40 be effective all nations without ex-
ception would have 10 adhere 70 the plan
as otherwise any Power contemplating
aggression could always construct sub
marines TO be placed In action when con-
fiict Is desired"
Brisnd sailed Too soon.
M. Gauvin emphasizes that the misfor-
tune TO France in having inadequate
an issue before them is acute and adds !:
BRAND shone In the United States
when his presence was not necessary and
is on this side Of the Atlantic when quos-
tlons vital 20 France are discussed"
PARIS. Dec. 22.-The foreign relations
committee Of tho Chamber Of Deputies
Is absorbed in the consideration OF
the problems Of naval reductions and
reparatlons as affected by the Wash
ireton conference and the meetings OF
Premiers BRAND and Lloyd George at
Lcndon. It has commissioned its presi-
dent, NJ Leygues. 20 request NJ BRAND
to attend its sessions NJ an early date
and furnish the committee with details