The Washington herald., 1921-12-29
SARRAUT REBUKE
BALFOUR'SSHARP
FLING AT FRANCE
Marked Differences on
Submarine Issue in
Conference.

Continued from Page One
in the world proposed neyertheless
to build instruments of iIlegitimats
warfare to an extent equal in num-
oers and superior in efficiency to
those legitimstely required by any
otner neet in the world. For the
Z moment he need say no more. The
whole Of this controversy would
again come Up before the public con-
Terence. For this occasion he re-
served himself
Eject of British Opinion.
He must. however. dwell shortly on
the effect which the French declara-
ton Of naval policy must inevitably
produce upon British opinion. II was
perfectly clear that II at sour very
gates a feet OF $4,000 tons Of sub
marines $50. 900 tons of which were
TO be OF the newest type) was to be
constructed. no limitation OF any kind
on auxiliary vessels capable of deal
Ing with submsrines could be admitted
by the government which he repre-
sented. Public notice had now been
given in the most formal manner that
this great feet was to be built on the
shores nearest to Britain. and 1t would
necessarily be a very great menace
to her. He had no doubt. IL the oc-
casion ever arose. that Britain would
be equal TO 1t. but II was on condi-
ton that we reserved the full right
Of Britain to build any auxiliary craft
which she considered necessary to dsll
with the situation
Answered by sarraut.
Mr.. Sarraut. replying said
The decisions of the French gov
ernment which have had the honor
OF imparting to the conference. have
Just given rise to certain observations
which I cannot allow to go un-
answered
To tell the truth. gentlemen. 1 am
rot here to make comment on the
orders OF my government which
possess an authority and a value
which suffice in themselves; the deci-
sions which have just communi-
Gated to you have been carefully con-
sidered by the highest authorities
representing national sovereignty in
my country. have received them
respectfully from their hands and have
brought them just as they stand to
the conference.
1T is my duty, however. ard I per-
form this duty in the perfectly friend
ly spirit which has never ceased to
animate the French delegation to take
UP the allegations which have Just
been made. certain ones OF which
find wholly Unacceptable.
Cannot Rely on Neighbors.
Certain delegations. while testify
ing to their satisfaction in seeing
France accept the reduced proportion
Of capital ships which has been de-
tcrmined for her. have expressed
real disappointment on learning that
the French government was unable to
make similar sacrifices as regards
other classes Of vessels. Allow me to
say that this disappointment. IL 1t
( really exists. will can forth a similar
! feeling in my own country when il is
learned there how the amount Of tom
mage allotted to France has been au-
thoritatively determined without TAX
Ing any account OF her manifest
needs and Of tine absolute necessities
oC her defense for the security and
safeguarding Of which no country Is
justified in trusting to the good officeS
Of its neiEhbors.
1t is this idea. this conception of
tho true nee,is and interests of France
and of her colonies which has in
spircd the decisions Of the French
government: il is this idea which is
both the measure and the limit Of
their demand: and it is in no way
Influenced by any comparison with
what our neighbors are doing or by
any anxiety to measure our naval
force against theirs.
Not Afraid Of Friendly Fleets.
Herein lies the profound differ
ence between our points of view
and those Of others. We have, not
apportioned our needs and our de-
mands by carefully examining the
consequences to the French navy
Of the increase Of the naval power
Of certain neighboring countries
with whom we cherish, under the
happiest of conditions. relations OF
friendship. cooperation and al
lance. We are not guided by any
fear of what their strength may be,
precisely because they are friends.
Great Britain with her 525,O0O tons
Of capital ships will possess a fleet
Of great vessels stronger than the
corresponding fleets OF France and
Italy put together.
so be it; we ourselves do not
take ofense. We are not the least
in the world haunted by this event
uality. no more than we are -ap-
rrehensive of the fact that tn.
Aeets of the other friendly nations.
the United States and Japan. will
he considerably increased in COM
parison with our fleet.
Each Must Assure safety.
why then. they say. is a sub
marine fleet such as is demanded
by France a necessity for her? Do
we quibble over the needs OF the
others? Do we call into question
their possible intentions? Do we
suspect them? Assuredly we shall
not do so. 1t is not only the right
but the duty of each country to
assure its safety by its own means
and IL Is perfectly possible 20 con-
slider this problem without being
haunted by the idea of possible
aggression on the part of a neigh
Dor. That others should apply to
US such a method OF reasoning
while we do not think of applying
Il to them. we cannot permit in any
way. This would be still more
painful to us. would appear to us
more especially inadmissible at this
table around which we are gath
cred in a spirit of the most cor-
dial cooperation and at the very
moment when, in bringing the. ~
swer Of France in the matter of
capital ships, we are furnishing the
most positive proof of the effective
participation of our country m the
success of the great ideals Of peace