New-York tribune., 1921-12-29
French Suspect
BritO1ls Aim at
Superior Navy
Delegates Assert Their Cow
ernment Is Determined
Not to Become Helpless
by Voluntary Consent
Stand Is Declared Final

Sarraut Insists Policy Is
Not Aggressive; Denies
Any Power Is Threatened
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2s (By The AS
sociated Press).-Discussing the con-
clusion of consideration of the sub
marine tonnage question by the Wash
ington conference, French delegation
spokesmen tonight said their govern
ment was determined not to be help
less voluntarily and by written agree
ment in the presence of Great Britain.
At the same time members of the dele
cation smiled at suggestions of Arthur
j. Balfour, of Great Britain, in the
naval committee which they inter
preted as attributing to France a de-
sire to make sea war on England
Deprecating this, they pointed to the
relative size of the two fleets and de-
clared there was a great difference be-
tween being unarmed and being
moderately armed"
Deny Action was Surprise
French spokesmen had an additional
word to say on the question of the
surprise" with which their naval fig
ures were received. NJ BRAND, Vice
Admiral de Bon and other members
of the delegation, it was asserted,
agreed on the third day of the confer
ence to advise Chairman Hughes of the
French naval figures. 1t was observed
that the American, British and Japan
ese delegates were to carry on their
discussion of ratios without the pres
ence Of French representatives The
French plan. as it then stood, included
100000 tons OF submarines. 1t was
would be far better, according to
French judgment, to discuss all the
ratios together and the interlocking
questions of capital ships and auxiliary
vessels.
What are described as "the strongest
sort of representations" were made the
first week Of the conference to obtain
hearing for France early in the pro-
ceedings, but the conviction in Mr..
Eughess mind, as it was expressed to
members of the French delegation, was
said 80 be that it was better for
France to wait. French spokesmen
this aspect of the subject perfectly
understood, in view of statements that
they had waited until toward the end
OF the conference to bring forward
figures which would be Unacceptable.
Decision Declared Final
Albert Sarraut, head of the delega-
tion, i'll receiving newspaper men TO-
night, commented freely upon the days
proceedings and various aspects Of the
conference. He brought out the
finality of the French decisions.
The position of the French govern
ment is mature, taken after the subject
was fully discussed in the Cabinet, he
said. "The orders of the government
to the delegation are very clear and
firm. There can be no recession in the
presence of the public opinion Of
French Senate yesterday"
M. Sarraut said the attitude of
France respecting" submarines was not
aggressive, that it contained no threatts
that the fixing of light cruiser tonnage
at $4,000 and submarine at 10000 was
simply in accordance with considera-
tions of protection and defense 8. 81
I'VE have extensive colonies" he as
serted. "Our troops are distributed
to some extent among them, and we
have native troops. It is necessary for
US to maintain our communications by
means of our light cruisers, so that we
could transport our troops to France in
case of necessity. We desire also to
protect our colonies and to defend our
coasts with our submarines. We have
friends who have many more large
ships than we have, yet we do not con-
slider that America, having 100000 tons
Of capital ships; Great Britain 100000,
and Japan 100000 tons, are for aggres-
sion against us. Why, therefore. should
any one say that our light vessels are
intended for aggression against thcm?''
Friendly to Conference
M. Sarraut said France would work
with all her force to make the confer
ence g success.
There has been large reduction in
capital ships already" said he, "and
limitation in other branches Of the
naval service"
why do you say limitation, Mr.. Min
ister?" correspondent inquired.
Because / mean Imitation" he re-
piled. "France has announced that she
is limiting her submarine tonnage to
10000 and her other light vessels to
100000 TONS"
One Of his callers remarked that
ieltHSr NredC bTlCaln nor America had
announced limitation of their light
vessels.
France has done so," NJ. sarraut
commented.
Touching upon the resolutions intro
duced by Mr.. Root respecting subma-
rines, the Minister said
II offer my homage to Mr.. Root for
his noble proposal. l am examining
the terms of the resolutions. You viii
recall that Admiral de Bon already has
said in behalf of France that we had
no intention OF pursuing merchant
ships. We recall too wildly the bar
barous use made of submarines by Ger
mans"
NJ. Sarraut was questioned as to
whether France desired combination
Of European powers for questions aris-
ing among themselves Of similar ma
ture to- those provided for under the
four-power Pacific treaty.
The question has not been consid-
cred in any way by the French govern
ment, so far as know" he replied.
Canada for u. S. i'm War
With Tanan. Saws Steed