The New York herald., 1921-09-25
FRANCE WOULD CUT
HER LAND ARMAMENT
Anxious Only for American
and British GUARANTEES Against
Invasion by Germany.
BRAND HOPES TO COME
Premier Regards His Presence
at Conference Here as Of
Great Importance.
BRAND HOPES TO COME
Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Sept. "a.

Special Despatch 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Sept. "a
France, it became known here to-
day. is willing to consider reduction
of her land armaments--in fact, is
anxious to do 80, but will insist on
assurances of protection against pos
sible future assault from Germany.
Failing this assurance, France sees
no way of reducing her army. She
would regard the Anglo o-French-Amer-
ican compact as giving this assurance
This information has developed in
connection with the conversations
which are proceeding over the agenda
Of the arms conference. mainly at Lon
reported here. 1t is not expected the
agenda will be definitely agreed upon
until the conference assemblies in
Washington.
the limitation OF land forces in the
agenda. on the contrary, she win
welcome such discussion because 1t
will raise the very question in which
she is vitally interested.
It is because OF the Importance which
France attaches to this situation that
Premier BRAND will tax every energy
to come TO the conference in person
The local situation in France may pre-
vent his coming but only the sternest
necessities will be regarded as bar
TO his participation. Even X he can
not remain for the entire conference he
is desirous of participating In it's open
ing sessions.
France, accused IN some quarters OF
ace, sees real threat impending from
across the Rhine and is not disposed
10 have the German terror renewed.
French leaders. 1t is learned here. re-
gard the proposed Anglo-French-Amer
can pact which was arranged for by
President Wilson but which received
scant consideration here as the best
answer to the German question. That
pact provided that in case cf unpro-
voked aggression against France by
Germany the United States and Great
Britain would come TO her assistance.
IL any other form of assurance can be
given then France will accept that, but
II must be concrete and satisfying
Another European crisis is expected
in March when Germany will be called
upon to make another payment on
reparations. There Is fear among hnan-
cial experts Of various countries
that Germany exhausted her immodiate
resources in paying the s250.0O0,000 IN.
gold included In the last payment and
that much OF II was secured by selling
deprecated marks in foreign countries
1t is not anticipated this can oc re-
peated. Tf Germany should default the
next payment France will be faced with
the necessity or decision as TO occu-
patton OF the Rhine provinces
All these matters will probably come
TO a head while the conference Is still
In session. II Is not expected here that
the conference can nuish It's work within
less than six months, and the session
may 60 beyond that.
So far as can be learned there
has been no change in the opposition
10 the Anglo ench-American compact
here, although II Is realized tha; France
is entitled 10 the most serious consd-
GRAFTON In her demand she shall be pro-
tected from future assaults from Ger
many