The Washington times., 1922-03-05
|SNOT:
NAUGHTY BOY
PUbL|C|ST SAYS
Defending Policy Of Subma-
rines, De Poiz, Descendant of
Famous Family, Hits Britain.
CITES FRENCH SACRIFICES
To Question Her Good Faith
Just Because She Protects
Herself, Is an Injustice.
By ELZEAR F. DE POLK.
(AmericGn descendant of famous
French familu.)

French familyD
NEW YORK, March $50
many criticisms, in various forms,
have been made lately against
France and her policies that / beg
to submit a few facts concerning
that nation. which although some
Of them are we'll known are,
nevertheless. either ignored or ap-
parently forgotten at the present
time.
Gave Up Willingly.
France Is treated like a naughty
boy who does not know how to be-
have; she IL plainly told, You'd
better be good and do what you are
told. or else we won't play with you
and you will be sorry.
In the Washington conference no
other nation gave as much as
France in the interests Of peace.
She sent delegates willingly and
cheerfully, expecting them to be
placed on the same footing as the
other delegates; instead they were
told. I'VE are first going to arrange
matters between England and Jap
an, and when we are ready you
will be called upon and be told
what We have decided to let you
have for your share"
In 1914 France had a programme
for q navy Of 900 tons OF war
ships, which would have been built
but for the war: she claimed that
she ought not TO be penaliZed on ac-
count of the war and that the
naval reduction should be taken on
the basis OF her pre-war pro-
gramme. That seemed reasonable
according to the French views. but
they were not accepted. "She did
not build those ships. did she?
Never mind the reasons"
The percentage allowed her was
taken on the actual state OF her
fleet and she was informed that
allowance.
That's enough" she was told
Don't argue! If you do you will
ruin this conference and 1t will be
all your fault"
Frances Acquiescence.
Finally after a little pull the
French said:
1--WE are very happy TO be limit
ed to $4,000 tons and to be sent
TO the fourth or fifth class as a
maritime power; we have no use
for such capital ships at present
and we have no money to build
them anyway but we need some
submarines to protect our coasts
and our shipping"
At once England protested:
You want submarines to attack
us, we won't allow 1t! Did not your
Captain CasteX say that you were
going to sink our navy with sub
marinesf"
Castex said no such thing; he
was quoting the Germans. Still,
the effect created by that statement
was the same as II he had said it
and tho French were "cussed" by
all for wanting submarines to sink
everything afloat( Just as the Ger
mans did during the war.
Did anyone credit France for hav-
ing accepted an inferior rank,
among the maritime nations, to the
ono she had before the war, and for
having sacrificed the larger per-
oentAge of her navy in the inter
ests of Peace?
As to the French Army.
-Oh, never mind your navy now!
1t In all settled: but what about
yUuE iIlpcI hiiSliC anu HllilldTlSI
policies2 You are keeping a large
always thinking of war Of possible
wara Why don't you disarm and
nave money? 1t will be time
enough to increase your army
when you sec any trouble coming.
You have dreams OF conquest
that's that whole trouble with you"
This 10 the kind OF talk one hears
or reads about at present. The
French did not have enough of
war. they are thinking Of conquer
ing Europe. Let us say Spain or
Italy or perhaps Switzerland. mo"
10 the reply: 1t could not be Bel
guimY mo"
Then. like William of old. It Is
England they are after7 All. well.
perhaps. although it is not likely;
still they might invade England
and transport their army with guns
and ammunition in their sub
marines, when they are built. or in
aeroplanes-"you never can tell
what those French are up tov'
Well, II not England. It is Ger
many; at last. they have tit is
Germany the French want"
Let me tell you that France
would not have any Of Germany as
q gift, still less fight for It.
France Saved Britain.
In 1917, when our American boys
came over to France, they learned
Immediately that 1t was the French
who held most OF the hattie line.
All the Allies fought bravely; still
we all know that the French army
was the backbone of the resist
ance.
Let us suppose the French had
not been able to stop the Germans
from taking those channel ports: II
would have been a matter Of very
short time for the German army TO
invade England, and the English
fleet would have been powcrless To
prevent the invasion.
This did not happen, thanks to
the French army!
France is told: "Be lenient with
Germany. She will pay II you wait
long enough"
Please note that Germany IL not
asked 40 pay one cent for the tire.
mendous cost of the war she in.
flicted, but only for the destruction
in the ravaged provinces
france, believing that Germany
will not pay unless she In forced TO
do so,. IL obliged to keep strong
army, to protect her rights and
- har