The New York herald., 1921-11-17


accepted by the conference for dis
cussion, reserying the right to pro-
pose amendments and notifications
at the proper time.
- Beyond the announcement Of the
5action OF Minister Sze on behalf OF
The pekin Government, no informa-
Iion war r-iSrthcoming regarding the
construction of the programme in
preparation OF which the conferences
committee on Far Eastern affairs
was engaged this afternoon.
No official information was given
out regarding the activities of the
board of admirals representing the
United States, Great Britain, Italy,
France and Japan, to whom the con-
sideration Of the naval formula pro-
posed by this country has been re-
eferred for technical comparisons and
recommendations.
Discussion of French Aims.
The question of land armaments
which concerns only France and China
was not taken up, although there was
n great deal of unofficial discussion Of
the French ambitions in this direction
(which was characterized by much
acrimonious verbosity.
The army which France desires to
maintain as a standard adequate to
both momentary and prospective
emergencies is far in excess of that
of any other nation of the world with
the sole exception OF China. The
military organization of the Pekin
Government is made up Of groups OF
provincial organizations under the
Command of predatory Tuchuns.
China has under arms probably
3 100000 in the aggregate, about
equally divided between the Pekin
+, Government, which is represented at
-lthe washington conference. and the
Canton Government, which is not, and
which has declared that it will not be
bound by any agreements negotiated
by the former. The size of the French
army, including the forces in Morocco
and Indo China, is not far from 65o.-
900.
What France will ask in the way OF
an army to guarantee ner vital needs
has not been stated up to date. but there
is a great deal more talk heard among
the representatives of that Government
concerning its ambitions in this respect
than of any other phase OF the arma-
ments conference.
Unofficial spokesmen for France mani
festly expect opposition to her de-
nnands from British sources, though the
representatives or the latter Govern
ment have not publicly indicated that 1t
favors such a policy. There Is no cues
ton that there exists considerable feel
ing between the representatives OF the
two European neighbors. which found Its
origin In the dissenting view OF the
London Government over the Silesian
programme favored by France.
Expect British opposition.
Whether NJ. BRAND. the French Prime
Minister; NJ. Viviani. NJ. Sarraut and
Ambassador Jusserand share this feel
ling is not known. According TO some Oh
the other attaches of the French dclega-
ton and the correspondents of one or
two OF the Paris newspapers. the French
delegates expect vigorous opposition
from Great Britain TO their, plans 10
maintain an army greater than that OF
any other European nation.
American officials, while deplor:ng the
difference of views between the repre-
sentatives of France and Great Rritain
in the matter of land armsments have
naturally taken no cognizance OF them:
It Is quite probable that beneath the
surface there may also exist differences
of views among the technical repre-
sentatiyes OF Great Britain and Japan
over the naval armament plan proposed
by the United States. though the great
est caution is being exercised by British
representatives to prevent any reflection
Of such an attitude from coming to the
surface. The United States Is assured
of the complete sympathy and coopera-
ton OF France, Italy, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Portugal and the Pekin
faction from China in its original pro-
posal for the limitation of naval arma-
ment. .,.,. .~..
Great Britain and Japan yesterday in
dicated their acceptance "in spirit and
principle" of It. and their representa-
tives on the naval armament conference
will conform to this pledge even while
they suggest notifications due to special
necessities. In some way the impression
is gaining ground among the United
States officials that Admiral Beatty
does not regard the American proposal
with favor, and that II he has his way
the British dissent from the American
plan will be much more comprehensive
in scope than was indicated by the
speech of Mr.. Balfour before the con-
ference.
Before Board of Adrnirals.
! The technical features involved In the
discussion OF the naval armament plan
is now directly before committee OF
Admirals, upon which the British have
two representatives. Admrals Beatty
and Acton: the French one. In the per-
son of Admiral lie Bon; the Japanese
one. Admiral Kato, who is not related
to Admiral Baron Kato, the Minister OF
the Imperial navy and spokesman Tor
the japanese delegation IN the confer
ence Assistant Secretary OF the Navy
Roosevelt Is the American representative
and chairman OF this board.
American naval officials know. OF
course. that Great Britain will urge
notifications in the American plan hav-
ing 10 do with submarines, requirements
and the maintenance OF shipyards which
may be of vital consequence In an
emergency.
The British representatives on the
technical committee are expected TO urge
a further limitation OF submarines than
Is contained in the American plan.
The fact is that the British naval