The New York herald., 1921-12-10
VIVIANI CLARIFIES
FRENCH NAVY STAND
Appropriations Not in Conflict
With Conference Objects,
He Says.
By RALPH COURTNEY.
Ey TNLT III tUUf@ NNl
Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. Dec, o.

oPSSHE DcSpuICH 70 ne NEW lDkk HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. 0.
In the following interview given this
evening NJ. Rene Vivlanl, head of the
French delegation, says he wishes to
make Frances naval position clear.
The French Parliament has just voted
appropriations for new vessels and de-
cided TO increase the French naval per-
sonnel. The new French vessels are to
be three light cruisers, six destroyers,
twelve torpedoe boats and twelve sub
marines There are also supplementary
provisions for three more light cruisers
and twenty-four more submarines. The
first of these vessels will NOT be com
pleted for three or four years, and 1t IS
understood that the cruisers win be Of
less than 5000 tons.
Cetain organs of the American
press" said NJ. Viviani. have expressed
some surprise at the Information from
Paris about the budget estimates which
Paliainent has just voted as appropria-
ZION for the French navy. Public at
tenion has been particularly called to
the fact that the naval staff Is going
to be increased and pass from $1,000 TO
5000 men.
This Increase is even pointed out as
appearing to be in opposition to the
views generally set forth at the Wash
lngton conference by its chairman, Mr..
Hughes. and to which Mr.. BRAND has
adhered substantially on behalf of
France. This has served as reason
to start u new debate on the naval
claims of France. 1t seems useful not
to allow public opinion in America to be
led astray in this respect.
"It may first be permissible TO say
that no definite data have been COM
municated to the press about the lnten-
tions of France regarding her navy.
No discussion of the kind can be en-
tered into until the measures concern
ing the French navy have come up for
examination before the conference. This
is derived from the undertaking that
has been given not to deal with the
question bearing on the French navy
before an agreement has been reached
for the American. British and japanese
navies.
LAS regards the increase in person
mel aimed at in the press articles to
which mention has already been made
above Il Is to be observed that the nor
maj pNuBCL ipT iv-- dCludtiy
provided for an increase OF 1907 men
above the electives provided for in 1921.
The difference, therefore, is significant.
This moderate increase corresponds in
no way whatever to an enlargement OF
the French fleet. Nor does the con-
structlon Of small units which has Just
been approved by the French Parla-
ment constitute an actual increase of the
feet.
France has not built anything dur
ing the war. either to complete her naval
programme or for the maintenance OF
her feet. But all the units which have
taken part in the war, and especially
smaller units. have been engaged to such
an extent that they have had TO suffer
considerably from wear and tear II is
Indispensable to replace them, unless the
altogether from the surface of the seas
THAT is the reason why, no construc-
ton having been undertaken since the
armistice, France is under the obliga-
ton to begin to carry out very limited
programme which has been passed by
Parliament to put the fleet in a proper
state of repair, and only as regards very
small units. This programme had al.
ready been submitted to Parliament
more than year ago.
There is therefore. in the stems n,
present taken for the French navy. ab.
solutely nothing which may be in op.
| position to tho principles proposed &c
/ the Washington conference"