The New York herald., 1922-01-01
FRENCH ATTITUDE
DEPLORED BY STEED !
Departing Editor Doubts II
Paris Appreciates Spirit
Of Conference.
PRAISE FOR HARDING
Gen. Cavan, Also Departing,
Sees No Menace in
Germany.
PRAISE FOR HARDING

The French attitude with regard to
submarines was the cause of regretful
comment yesterday by II. Wickham
Stecd editor of the London Times. Gem
eral the Earl of Cavan. British military
adviser at the Washington conference.
and Lieut.-Gen. Giuseppe vacari, Italian
military adviser, al! of whom sailed for
Europe yesterday on the White Star
liner Olympic.
None OF the distinguished visitors to
the conference displayed bitterness to-
ward France but their words plainly in
oicated they were deeply disappointed
oy her stand with regard to undersea
boats and other light crafts.
Mr. Steed, sailing after four months
N this country. departed with words OF
praise for President Harding and Secre-
tary Hughes as statesmen of the highest
ABILITY and ideals. He said he thought
the conference would end about the mid
ole OF January. and expressed the belief
mat good news from Europe would be
received before its close.
L am glad to see the news frons1
washington is better this morning"
said. Il feel quite certain France does
not wish to build these submarines and
light craft and that there is no real ag-
gressive intent behind the attitude her
people have taken at Washington.
1t is unfortunate the French dele
gates did not readily understand the
spirit in which the Washington confer
ence was convened and the degree in
which Great Britain was animated by
the same spirit. 1t is also unfortunate
the French delegation does not even now
seem to understand the deep feeling
Which French tactics at Washington daave
aroused in the United States. They
seem to imagine tho criticism of France
IN this country has been prompted by
hostility. That is not the case. IL Is
prompted by sorrow that France should
not have perceived in what large d-
mensions she was operating.
Hopeful of Harmony.
81 hope that before the conference Is
ended her representatives will have per-
eeived this and will have brought their
attitude into harmony with the opera
tions OF President Harding and of the
whole American people. The British{
Government may be able to assist
France. and IL it can do so 1t certainly
should"
Mr.. Steed expressed regret he must
leave this country. which he said was
astonishingly sunny" when compared
with northern Europe. The effect OF so
much sunlight on the temperament he
said. was TO produce a brighter and more
spontaneous outlook than was general
in north Europe. aus %@-s
"As the majority OF the American ma
ton Is Of northern European stock. the
effect Of this sunshine on you is to pro-
duce a type OF mind and temperament
quite unlike anything else in the world"
he saio. It's been a revelation to me.
and In every way a delightful revela-
ton"
Gen. the earl of Cavan. who on Feb
ruary 10 will succeed sir Henry Wilson
as Chief Of Staff OF the British army, in
expressing his regret concerning the re-
cent developments at the conference,
said he did not believe the French people
would back their delegation In its at
ttude with regard to submarine tom
mage.
Before the matter Is finally decided,
believe 1t must be referred to the French
people. and l doubt whether the French
people will approve the building OF this
tonnage" he said
Secs No German Menace.
THE French. ! believe. overcstimate
the danger of a German attack. AS a
matter of fact. there is not. in my
opinion, the slightest danger from this
source.
THE French seem to have the idea
there Is hostility against them. and 4
regret that what they have done no
doubt has really set them back In the
minds OF the American people. cannot
help thinking they have strengthened the
position of Great Britain and the United
States"
The British military adviser expressed
the belief a three nation alliance such ae
France desires would be the most potent
thing on earth to cause another great
war
The Earl of Cavan explained he was
returning home because the conference
was not considering land armaments.
In connection with this subject. he said
the Geddes commission In Great Britain,
headed by brother of Brltain's Ambas-
sador TO this country. is shortly to make
great cut In the military power OF
Great Britain.
Gen. Vacari said that while the people
of the United States might be surprised
by what he characterized an the political
,,,oyepants ~ Era nce NJ fha eo, farence