New Britain herald., 1930-01-03
BY NINOTT SAL.NnENS

By MlNOIT SA N1EltS
 Paris, Jan. @-'ruc Gd;h of France in the submarine and her deter mlnation to maintain UudersyI strength second 10 none among Eu- ropean powers, threatens 10 torpedo the forthcoming London naval con- ference unless important concessions all around can be achieved.
 France Will enter the conference in accord with the principle of d.s- armament, but will insist upon ada quate defense. Her argument will be that the submarine is her chief defensive weapon and her claims are almost certain 10 be challenged ly Italy and Great Britain.
 Preliminary negotiations between France and Italy for basis ot poll cy at the conference have brokoa down. according 10 observers here. Italy is expected 10 demand absolute parity with France and will not agree with Great Britain and th" United States on the question of th" abolition of submarines unless France is wiling 10 make conces- sions.
 The French press is not optimistic over the results Of the conference, although hoping for inc best Any attempt to bar the submarine ques- ton in the negotiations will be frus 1rated by France judging from po- lltical expressions here
 Press Not Over Hopeful
 The French official position $ believed reflected by the reports of J. l.. DumesniI, now in the hands Of the finance committee of the chamber Of deputies Revealing tho pitiful weakness of tho French navy in all major Catcgorics of fightin craft, it seems to show that France can under no condition consent 10 relinquish the submarine His argu- nents are for tho "prO'cctlon Of Frances colonial empire"
 DumesniI reveals that the French navy, with regard to surface craft. consists of six capital ships now H. most obsolete, one oIrplano carri"r, and cruiser and destroyer tounag $ well below Italy's,
 France Has 70 SrhS
 It is in the submcrsih'c cate- Gory that France has her naval strength. She has. or is building. the report shows 7H subuIarin $ and actually leads thc world in sub marine tonuago. Italy has only &f submarines. and most of them are small
 Italy. on tho other hand. is mueh stronger than France in sUrfa P craft and may he expected at the London confrrnu-. 10 beam more -o the American and British NIrwpoiu, on submarines than France will. .t probably also is responsible for tu. difficulty in prrluunwy Er3u-D- Italian negotiations. France js rc1!- ly superior to Italy, aS inc two nayies stand today bU' without sUp- marines Frame would be greatly ill., fcrior
 This latter position IS one Fran % will never 5ppor. however # might explode 'u, conference, for t is no secret 'lW fa u-o,rg.jou for her colonies I'raua dos up' oy,a- lcok Italian and German influences.
 Indcreca strength Compared
 Dumcsuil -aN- that EgIuu'. submarines na.. a rou0ar. total "' &4.244. whIa America ha- s- -l.- marines totaliu- su..7N tons. JarJ. 69 totalins 75.5n1 'tu- aad ualg @l totaling -7.4oa tons
 Dumesml warns lHrf IrrW 'h. United States end lHh appar r.d l% to join in eou'n#u- Dhe Use Of sun- marines, and ic France las a tri"yI tor her sGhmprlH,- lu tha con. .r- ence it will ha%e 10 be Japan.
 France will not lose thou&h al the German position IL [. pointed out here that while 'j" German ualy does not look y"ry formidable now. t. will be important when GyrHany Jas completed all the ,ruisors alloa- ed her under the Treaty Of Ncreail- les. Germany is uo' ldle, and when she has fulnlird her program the French navy wIll be superior 10 tho German navy only because of har submarines. This js something that France is prepared 10 bring sharply before the delegates at the London conference.
 France Fourth Naval Power
 With hor euhmarn, &. Dum"rnil figures thar France u3g be ragarl- r1 IS tho foHr.p na'al power, with a slight cIes on ltdly and d useful -rp,rio"JH ov Germany. Without them she would hc interior 10 ItalN and uor muru more thm equal to f,rman, These ar" the only two powers that Frame. fears on the seas,
 According 10 the Dumesnil fig sres, France Is spending 2,5S$,oGo,-