The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-12-29
Arms Conference Seeks Agree
ment on Submarines and
Light Cruisers.
FRENCH DEMANDS The CRUy
British Want U-Bcst Abolished in
Warfare--AI!ied Supreme Council
to Cal! for Commission on Re-
Mobilization of Central Europe
Henry Watterson Dies.
BY EDWARD w. PlcKARD

| G UBMARINES, light cruisers and
y torpedo boats occupied most of
the attention OF the conference dele
gates and naval experts in Washing
ton during much Of the week. The way
the controversy, If so it may be desig-
mated, developed, is interesting. First
France asked that she be allowed to
have about $4,000 tons of capital
ships, which would give her ratio
of 3.5. She said she wanted to build
from five to ten battleships, though
not at once, and supported her claim
by showing how her navy had beer
neglected during the war. The other
delegates could not stand for this,
and Secretary of State Hughes com
municated directly with Premier Bri-
and, who was in London. In his
cablegram Mr.. Hughes said:
Il feel that the suggestion that has
been made that France should build
ten capital ships in replacement with
tonnage of 100000 tons or more suc-
gests program Of such magnitude as
to raise the greatest difficulties. In
fact / regret to say that after can
vassing the matter thoroughly and
taking the best information I can OBJ
tain, I am compelled to conclude that
it would not be possible on this basis
to carry through the agreement"
pptO OF
the delegation which permitted it to
recede from the demand concerning
capital ships and agree to the ratio of
1.75 fixed by the conference, so far as
vessels of that class are concerned.
But, for purposes of national defense.
the French asked special considera-
ton in the matter Of submarines and |
light cruisers. OF the former they |
wished to be allowed $4,000 tons, and
of the latter 100000 tons. This, in the |
aggregate, would give France an aux
Hilary naval rating of about 2.5.
BRAND said France felt she must pro-
tect her three coasts, on the Atlantic,
the North sea and the Mediterranean,
and should have plenty Of light cruis-
ers because Germany is permitted to
build ships of that type. He also in
timated that Russia might build yes
sells on the Baltic which Germany
could use against France. He vigor-
ously disclaimed any idea that there
could be hostilities between France
md Great Britain.
Great Britain still insisted on the
otal abolition of the submarine in
warfare, and Mr.. Balfour asked that
plenary session of the conference be
'aled SO that he and his fellow dele
,ates could make their plea for this
n public. But the British stood alone
n this contention and it was predict
d the conference would refuse to out
aW the undersea boats. However, the
americans showed a disposition to
by accepting reduction :
f the submarine tonnage allowed
treat Britain and the United States. =,
his, as 1t stands, is 10000 tons. The !,
ritish asked that at least it be cut
} $4,000 tons. The Americans indi- y
1ted they might be satisfied with a y
5,000-ton maximum. If this last fig =
re is agreed upon it may operate to =
'duce Frances allowance, since that .
the tonnage she is asking. =
} RESIDENT HARDING, while talk r
ing to the correspondents Tuesday. a
ems to have made slight slip which
used lot of excitement and sup T
led some ammunition to Borah, L
FED and other opponents of the four V
'wer Pacific treaty, who assumed in
ere was a division between the re
esident and the delegates in con- v
'uing the agreement. Mr. Harding 10
his interview expressed the opinion al