Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-24
PREMIER MAKES
LAST PLEA FOR
POWERS PLEDGE
BRAND Will Go Home
Without Agreement,
but Is Satisfied.
Committee Appointed
to Work Out Details of
Program Submitted.

Washington, Nov. 23.-(By
The Associated Press. Fac
ing each other in the confid-
entail atmosphere Of an exc
cutive session, the delegation
of the great powers exchanged
frank opinions Wednesday on
the limitation of armies as it
touches the situation in Euro
pc, but adjourned without
making a joint declaration of
policy either as to the Euro
pean problem or the general
principles Of land armament.
Premier BRAND, of France, making
his last appearance in the conference
before his departure for home, reiter-
ated the reasons that move his coun
try to maintain the largest army in
the world and suggested that the only
alternative would be pledge by the
powers to come to the aid of France
should Germany or any other nation
again threaten civilization.
Adopt No Plan
To this the representatives OF the
United States. Great Britain, Italy and
Japan replied with renewed express
sions of regret and sympathy for the
position of France, declaring their
governments firmly committed to the
defense of free institutions and giving
assurance taht the French people
had the moral support of all the DOW
ers in facing their problem.
But no one came. forward with a
proposal to write such pledge into
a public and joint declaration of pol
icy such as NJ. BRAND indicated would
be asked to induce the French gov
ernment to reduce it's land forces be-
yond the point already contemplated.
Neither was there move to formulate
q comprehensive agreement for land
armament reduction like that under
consideration for naval forces, and the
meeting ended after designating sub
committees to handle the collateral
subjects of aircraft, poison gases, and
the rules of warfare.
BRAND Satisfied
NJ BRAND declared himself well sat
isfied to take home with him the oral
expressions Of moral support voiced
by the representatives of the powers
today and in Mondays open session. |
There were indications that some of |
the French had hoped he might take
along a formal written pledge but the |
premier was said to have yealized
fully the restraints under which the
other national groups found themselves |
in dealing with the subject
In any case, the 'strong man of |
France" apparently is leaving the con
ference confident that his principal !
object in coming to America has been |
accomplished, and that if any attempt |
is made to take up in detail the ques
ton of land armament limitation. the
negotiations never will take trend ini-
mical to the army of France.
Official Statement
The following communication was
issued after the meeting of the sub
committee on limitation of armament:
1.-The subcommittee, composed of |
the nine heads of the delegations of
the five powers represented on the
committee on limitation of armament,
held meeting Wednesday afternoon
for the purpose of considering the
order of procedure in connection with
the new agencies of warfare and of
rules for the conduct of war. The
subcommittee decided to create three
boards of experts, each member of the
subcommittee to nominate the mem
bers Of these boards as follows: /
with respect to aircraft, their
quantity, character and use.
'.2.-With respect to poison gases.
"3.-With respect to appropriate
rules for the conduct of war
These experts are to conduct their
inquiries under the direct supervision
of the subcommittee composed of the
heads Of the five delegations. As each
subject is prepared for the discussion
Of the full committee, it will be report
ed TO It..
M. BRAND took leave of his col
lsagues, expressing his regret at be-
lAS obliged to depart. The other mem
1elp of the subcommittee expressed
their regret that he was obliged to
leave them and their appreciation of
the great part he had taken in the pro-
ceedings.
The committee then adjourned,
subject to the call Of the chair" at
.,