Grand Forks herald., 1921-12-17
No Definite Program.

Press )--France has no definite ship
building program, it was said in Of
ton with the attitude Of the French
delegation atsthe Washington confer
cnce on the naval ratio question.
The fact that she asks to be al
lowed to build up $4,000 tons in
capital ships does not mean that she
now plans a program OF that sort, 1t
was declared.
France, however, formerly a naval
power, desires to protect her rights,
twas explained.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE, naval
committee of fifteen of the arms con-
ference resumed consideration today
Of the French and Italian naval ratio
- problem; but with little prospect that
the day would show any material re-
suits in the way of advancement to-
ward an agreement among the five
powers on relative naval strength and
reduction in fleets in. harmony with
that already reached by the 'big
three" naval countries.
Rules Of Silence.
The committee again was entrench-
ed behind its rule of silence adopted
yesterday and no further information
was available as the exact nature Of
the statement the French group is
making as to frances needs in naval
tonnage on the basis of her national
security. Nor was further light avail
able on the French project to build
ten $4,000 ton capital ships in the
decade 1855.
-. ) May IAft Ban. !,
Despite tho. secrecy rule of the COM
nittee,s It was known that presenta-
tion OF the. French case continued
today. ~ In this; sGopnecton,J ~. 7Sar-
rant, head OF the French delegation;
Inthe absence sof Premier BRAND sapa
NJ vf91anE fhtimated last night that
France would seek to- have xthe se-
crecy ban Of the committee lifted in
order that q correct view of the posi-
ticn taken by her delegation on naval
strength may be given to the public.
The only knowledge Of the French
ten ship plan thus far has come from
British sources ands:was made known
prior to the committees action in
adopting the secrecy rule.
"a -; i Lack Fun Power. " r
~ tits generally understood that M
SaTraut and Ambassador Jusserand
the two French delegates now In
Washington, lack full power to modify
the basis or details of the naval pro-
posals, France has presented in the
committee. The delegation is known
with Paris since the big three agree:
ment was made known officially, hu
it has not been disclosed whether
additional instructions have been re
ceived from Premier BRAND.
Some officials here speculate upor
what the effect in France the return
OF Marshal Foch from the United
States is apt to have, because of thu
extraordinary warmth of the recep
tion the great French soldier received
all over the United States. 1t Is es
timated. by these officials that thu
mAfshaTs report OF the very triendl,
feeling shown. toward him by thu
American people everywhere will hav'
a bearing in final determination o
the French government to shape it
course in naval matters along thu
same lines as Great Britain, the Unit
ed States and Japan have agreed t.
do in the three power naval under
standing. s
The American group in the commit
toe Of fifteen have not reached thu
point Of formulating counter propos
ais as to French ana Italian naya
ratios, It is understood. Whether de
veiopments in the committee will
make such American initiative ad
vfsxble, remains to be seen. s
TO Meet Monday.
The naval suOcomm1tteeS aIter !
session OF about two hours adjourned
and simply announced its next meet
ing would be Monday at 4 a. m.
Agreement Broken.
NJ. Sarraut, the head OF the Frencl
delegation, 1t was learned recalled t
the attention of the committee at to
days session the promise Of secrec.
1 made by all delegations on Thursda!
and said this agreement had beel
disresarded by British spokesmcn; o,
Friday NJ. Sarraut further ASSERTED
he had kept his word and that unit
the committee lchanged the rule n