The New York herald., 1921-12-18
NAYALDlSPUTENOW
MHANDS OF BRAND
And LLOYD GEORGE
Meeting of Premiers EX-
pected to Have ImpOr-
tant Effect.
SARRAUT FILES PROTEST.
Tension at Arms Farley Ag-
gravatcd; Americans Adopt
Neutral Attitude.
SARRAUT FILES PROTEST
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. g., Dec. II.
The temporary embarrassment
caused by the insistence of France
for authority to build navy pro-
spectively larger than those of the
more important sea Powers has not
discouraged the delegates to the in
ternational conference.
The French request merely has
clogged the machinery of the confer
ence for the time, pending definite ad-
vice from Paris. The delay is more
irritating than important, because it
may prolong the work of providing
new charter for world affairs.
Until the decision of France re-
garding sea armaments is reached
the delegates have no choice other
than to remain patient and hope for
. the best. If the French situation is
cleared up it still may be possible to
wind UP the conference by Christ
mas; If it is not, one guess is as good
as another as to the duration.
M. Sarraut, the head of the French
delegation, does not admit there is
anything unusual in the French re-
quest. In statement tonight he
disclaimed any desire to delay the
work Of the conference.
"We came here" he said, with
frank and loyal intentions. We con-
tinue this attitude and are now ex-
amining the general situation. The
other Powers discussed their naval
situation and we are doing the same.
To-day / spoke for an hour or more
and exposed certain ideas concerning
Frances maritime needs.
"These of course will naturally
meet certain contradictions or oppo-
sition, and the discussion win follow
to soc whether we can reach an agree
ment. The tendency seems to be to
make tragedy of this situation, but
see no reason for it. The other
Powers took five weeks coming to an
agreement and / do not see any rea-
son why we should not take five
days. l am astonished at the COM
motion which the present situation
has caused. see no reason why /
should be disturbed by it."
Clear to subcommittee.
The French delegate declined to
furnish for publication a statement
of the exact concession required by
his Government in the way of naval
privileges. He said the French posi-
tion has been clear to the naval sub
committee and is under considera-
tion.
Foreign delegates and American Of
ficials who still hope for speedy re-
suits pin their faith on the outcome
Of the conference at London between
Premier Lloyd George and Premier
Aristide BRAND tomorrow or Mon
day. This event is conceded to be of
the utmost general Importance as to
both European and Washington con-
ditions. II may evcntuate in q con
currence of views regarding inter-
allied policies affecting Germany and
also the relation of the French dele
cation to the international confer
ence here.
American, British, Japanese, Bel
gisn. Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese
delegates are more optimistic in this
respect than are those who represent
the French Government. The latter
continue to preserve complete silence
regarding either the motive that In
spired the projection OF their extraor-
dinary naval demand into the confer
encc machinery or the circumstances
that attended il.
The only admission made by them.
In fact, was that no definite statement
OF the exact terms OF their proposal or
probable action regarding it could oe
made pending advices from their homo
Government.
Consequently all the delegates to the
conference arc inclined to look toward
London, rather than tho French EN-
cassy here for an answer TO the
puzzle which has halted confer
ence deliberations for tho time and
provoked the greatest amount of dis
cusslon and speculation. The Ameri-
can delegates. who are credited with
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Continued on Page Nineteen.
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