The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-11-24
FRANCE OPPOSES
SUBMARINE CURB
Battleships Hold No Inter-
est For BRAND; Wants
Lighter Craft

washington, NOV. 22.-The great
battleship holds mo interest for
France. What we want are subma-
rines, and light swift craft for coast
defense"
Thus Premier Aristide BRAND sum-
married. for The Courier-Journal to-
night his Governments definition of
the French naval role. He added that
the limitation of submarines pro-
posed by Great Britain was unaccepta-
BILE to France, first, because it depriv-
cd that country of her best means of
safeguard at sea and, second, because
other nations possibly DESTROYS of
building submersibles were not repre-
sented at Washington and therefore
would not be bound by any agreement
reached here.
There are several European Pow
ers which regard the submarines as
their best naval weapon" the Pre-
mier observed. Norway, Sweden,
Denmark and Holland all share this
view. Moreover, if our submarine
strength is limited as the British de-
sire. what is to prevent Germany get
ting U boats built in the shipyards
of those countries, whose output
would not be limited since they would
not be parties to decisions arrived
rat by this conference?"
Denies Big Naval Aims.
NJ. BRAND fatty denied the exist
ence. in the official sense, of any such
propositions as those published in
New York morning paper today, to
the effect that France demanded ma
val parity with Japan plus the right
to construct capital ships to be begun
in 1926 but not put in commission
until the naval holiday" ends in
1881 and as many submarines as
Britain or the United States would
possess under the Hughes plan. The
Premier declared that no such thesis
had been advanced or adopted by the
French delegation, which he added
was still studying the question of
Frances naval requirements.
In another quarter learn that the
story in question emanated from
French naval officers who merely
voiced their own aspirations to see
tGeir country equipped with strong
sea forces. AS regards capital shirs.
1t is an old saying in Paris that the
only reason France needs them is, to
provide residences for her admirals,
many of whom are now homeless as
far as fitting naval accommodation is
concerned.
M. BRAND is no more inclined to
approve what one Frenchman today
termed "our naval pipe dream" than
Arthur ]. Balfour was to sanction
the British navy mems advocacy of
the construction of one capital ship
annually during the ten-year build
ing halt. ~-is-'-
Wmships Building In Allegiance
1t was made clear at French head
quarters that while the 1912 building
programme interrupted by the war
still exists. there is no tendency to
carry it out, except in the case of
those submarines and light defensive
vessels for which France has always
argued, and which Britain has always
opposed, since the first Hague con-
terence. The battleship end of the
programme is far too costly to be APP
piled at this time
The Premier lei IL be understood
that French prcsc.; for the Eyation /
of the naval status of France and tia
ly eventually would be reduced. but
only when the conference felt that
the moment had arrived to TAX up
this matter, left in obepance at the
opening sitting
Profound satisfaction was express
ed i'm French circles at the reception
accorded M. Brands speech yester-
day by the American press. Echoing
the same sentiments, the Premier in
formed me tonight that he consider
ed the reaction'to his utterances in
the papers as well as in the confer
ence hall of the greatest importance
in the maintenance OF European
peace.
what has happened is even more
important than general programme '
covering land ornaments" he went
On, because II demonstrates TO Ger
many the continuance of moral soli- /,
iarity.among the Allied and Assoeiat- 7
I'd Powers.
1T must be apparent to the Ger ,
mans that the way in which they are I