Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1921-11-21
duction of Land Forces.

Washington, Nov. 20 (By The A. P.I-
World .attentio1 viii shift from naval
to land armaments when Premier BRAND
OF France speaks tomorrow before the
arms conference His address, provided
FOR at the last plenary session of the
conference. is expected to be a very
frank statement of the reasons that i'm
pei France to maintain the largest army
in tho world.
The subject to be covered by the
French p-emier's statement Is probably
the point of most immediate Importance
to France in the entire conference. In
informed circles, it is expected the ad-
dress viii be a defense of French mill
tary policy whech the French authorities
hone will absolve chat country before
he world from any SUSPICION of aggres-
s've designs on the continent.
In expressing genera adherence Of
France TO the American plan for naval
reductions. M. Brianh said to the con-
ference.
When it comes on the agenda. as IT
Inevitably will come. to the question of
i7nd armament. a question particularly
delicate for France as you are all well
aware. We have no intention to eschew
this question. We shall answer your
appeal. fully conscious that this Is s\a
question Of a grave and serious nature
for us The question will be raised-it
has been raised-and If there is a coun-
.ry that desires. that demands that the
auesticr Of land armaments should be
raised. IL IS France.
4 hope that 1 shall be able to state
ruhlicly what the position Of France is.
SO that the United states and the world
may FULLY know. And when I have tried
% nrora this, when YOU have listened to
this demonstration I am quite sure that
h. II 41,04 1f
Ter the necessities cs safety and ,ife
have been adequately secursd harbors
no thought whatever VI disturbing the
peaco Of the world"
Beyond This forecast Of Premier
Rriands intended utterance. there has
heen nothing 10 Indicate that the land
Prr7auent question is to be taken up de-
fnitely for settlement in Washington. So
far as can ne learned no power repro
scnted at the conference has prepared
any plan for limitation or reduction OF
land forces
All deIcgations are armed with vol
umes Of statistics dealing with armies
among other ar1a ment divisions. but
re'thar The United States nor : Grea,
Prtain has any direct or Immediate IN
ierest in tho subject. both having al
ready cut t'eir arrnies TO the bone. Il
anDears wholly likely that If anv pro-
.o he submitted for armies It would
coma from France or one Of the mowers
possessing Great army strength. AS ye
lhe-e has been no sign Of such a plan
Much interest has attached to Premie
Friand's coming statement because o
what reference veiled or otherwise, h,
7'i1ht make to the we'll known Freucl
1asire that Great Britain and the United
States Join in some form of assurance
a~ain attacked. In view of the genera
attitude IN Washington on that sugCes
lion. however It is regarded as unlike
i" that Premier BRAND will make evel
direct reference to It. i was though
far moro probable that he would seek t
give the conference, a picture Of tn
'reSe0t situation of France as visual
ized by her government.
Meanwhile. American military advis
rrT arc prepared for the initiation Of tn
land armament question by some othe
Eroun They are nrerared to show tha
fe American army Is now far beloy
any ratio of land mower which might b
SUGGESTED that Il IS completely demoSi
iZed. that no organized reserve beyon
paper structure stands behind it. wit
tho exception Of the National Guar
7r1 that the standing army today is n
moro han = national police force an
p04e is too small for even that worl
There have been no meetings. of II
American nj itary Group. Their wor
has been confined TO statistical prepars
t.on N inform the American delegates G
any point that might arise This dat
ie In tho hands Of Secretary Hughes ar
his colles rues and unless the experts al
called in later. they have no active plat
u the conference circle.
Il now a70ears likely that the confe
e1ce Will wiz T. reaches the item c
The aEenda providing for discussion
new agercies NJ war. turn this uuestic
over 70 = joint commission of comm,
Fions. The suhic~- Ill invo've the u
~ air bombs. r. ~ marines and sim
lar matters and Goos not seem like
iNie discussion will he carried by Il
fun conference.