Evening star., 1929-12-14
FRANCE AND ITALY
IN NAVY |MPASSE
Mediterranean Treaty Seen
as Only Means Out of
Present Situation.
Continued From First Page.)

CONTINUED From First Page)
and refused to commit himself concern
ing the subject of submarines, and em-
phasized especially Italy's absolute need
for complete naval parity with France.
At the same time the British press sug-
gested the opinion that France was
about to be isolated at the London naval
conference as a world factor in naval
agreements.
On December S, BRAND gave Man.
zoni Frances reply. France, he said,
refused to discuss parity, which, it
added, was based wholly upon consid-
erations of prestige. He went on to say
that France wanted a mixed Franco
Italian naval commission, which would
consider a basis of naval contingencies
regarding the actual needs of the re-
Spective countries. Italy refused this
proposal. It would proceed only when
France admitted the principle of parity.
The principle was that If France &C
ceded to the principle of parity Italy
would oppose the abolition of subma-
rines, but If France refused parity Italy
would favor the abolition of the sub
marine.
The French Ambassador to Rome has
been summoned to Paris, but as yet no
way is seen out of the deadlock.
Unfortunately at this time, a French
squadron is eScorting several submarines,
constructed in France for Jugoslavia,
to Sebeneco in the Adriatic, where, ac-
cording to unconfirmed reports, French
sailors, who obtained shore leave, shout
ed: "a bas Mussolini!" which means,
down with Mussolini, in front of the
Italian consulate. All this is not calcu-
lated to help matters.
Ona R;r niaarorca
The italian claim of parity with
France bears some resemblance to the
American claim of parity with Great
Britain, but differs in one respect The
United States, though richer than Great
Britain, could be outbuilt, if it came to
| naval race. whereas France, though
| richer than Italy, can and has outbuiIt
that nation by about so per cent in
naval strength.
Frances opinion, emerging from these
views, is hardening daily. No ANGLO
American" dictation will be accepted.
| The building program for 100000 tons
OF warships of all classes by 1943 will
| be maintained.
According to French experts and leg
| islators, studying the needs. of France
as regards her colonies, her coasts, her
sea routes, her geographical situation,
her foreign-trade tonnage-all these
factors lead to the same conclusion;
namely, France is entitled to the third
rank as naval power, Immediately be-
hind the United States, and Immediate
nth. h.''"" 0l '"p"H' WIFI 1'A'' a poor
Some French leaders would grant
Italy theoretical parity with France in
the belief that italy would be unable
to afford to build up actual parity with
France, but others reply that this
| would be dangerous concession, be-
cause, in their view, the real purpose
of this conference is not disarmament,
but permanent fixation of naval pro-
portions, so that naval ornaments can
| later be reduced, but only in the pro-
portions previously agreed to.
This, the French say, would give
Italy cheap approach of parity, to
which she would not be entitled. due to
any reason of power or equality.
Naturally, Italy teens with views which
would spurn such an idea. Italy needs
parity with France, because it is shut
up in the Mediterranean, unable to
get out of it because of French naval
bases, and because its very capital,
Rome, is only Is miles from the sea.
France Not Worried.
France, meanwhile, is not greatly
worried by the prospect of having to
ference. She is still unconvinced that
the United States and Great Britain
are fully agreed on the subjects in hand.
France is still certain that Toxic Is
still in disagreement on the ratio of
submarines with both Washington and
London.
France is preoccupied with the pre-
plexitieS of the coming Hague confer
encc on the final adoption of the Young
plan which will precede the London
naval conference.
In any ase, France feels its views
are moderate and reasonable, owing to
its support of the League of Nations,
which came before any disarmament
moves and are supported by the League
itSelf-the covenant whose peace formu-
Ia is arbitration for security and dis
armament.
Let Great Britain and the United
States propose guarantees of security in
the Mediterranean-then France will
see what it can do,