THE NAVAL RATIO

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 75, 21 December 1921, Page 5

THE NAVAL RATIO

FRENCH GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE YIELDS ON CAPITAL SHIP QUESTION HOPES TO SECURE MORE SUBMARINES The tension at Washington caused by the French demand for more capita] ships has cased. It is understood that France will accede to the ratio of 1.7 suggested by Mr. Hughes, but hopes as an off. set to secure the maximum allowance of submarines. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. December 20, 9.25 p.m.) Washington, December 19. Well-authenticated reports reached Washington to-day that M. Briand had told Colonel Harvey in London that the French Government would accede to Mr. Hughes’s suggestion that tho ratio would bo 1.7. The French delegation hero profess to know nothing concerning the matter, but it is significant that at their request a meeting of the naval subcommittee called for to-day was postponed on tho plea, that cable messages from London had still not been received. Apparently tho surmise that the whole question is being discussed between Mr. Lloyd George and M. Briand is correct, and finality had not been reached in time for this morning’s meeting here. The tension here was lifted during the afternoon. It is known that tho French have received long dispatches from London, the presumption, based on authoritative Press cables, being that M. Briand has instructed the delegation to agree to some substantial reduction in their demands. The American spokesman was much more cheerful to-day, therefore, witl’«nt anything really definite being available. Tho tone and comment of the discussion has taken a more hopeful note. Statement by M. Sarraut. The French issued their first statement to-night. It does not say much.M Sarraut explainer! that word had been received from Paris and London winch ho immediately submitted to Mr. .Hughes. After a two hours’ session it was agreed that the whole matter be referred to a meeting of the Naval Sub-committee of fifteen to-morrow. The attitude of the French Government, as always was to do ihe best to come to a settlement, and the present indications wore that they were approaching agreement. One hopeful sign was that he referred to “unexpected” events arising which might necessitate a further reference (o the French Government, hut he. also hinted that the instruct ions received covered both the subjects of capital ships and submarines. Britain’s Case for Abolition of Submarines. This suggests that the French are still in a mood for bargaining, and want o offset their yielding on the capital ship question bv securing a maximum allowance of submarines. This will not suit the British, who are pressing for the plenary session tins week flo be a. apart as a field day for tho discussion of the submarine question, so that they can state , their case for ihe abolition of submarines. This Lord Lee will do. But if the French make their acceptance of the capital ship ratio contingent on a greater submarine, allowance, the issue is likelv to bo obscured to the detriment of tho British. Moreover, if the hrench insist on the maximum allowance of submarines, Britain will, as cabled some time ago, announce that she 'holds herself free to build to the absolute limit in chasers and.all kinds of submarine defence devices. The British are most anxious io have the matter tirely on its own merits. It is undeistood tho United States is not. so, foreseeing the weakness of their own case as upholders of disarmament, in advocating tho preservation of the worst foim of navalT warfare, hut it is difficult to see how it can avoid it. Considering tha the United States and France have both had days specially their own in the plenary sessions, it would be only fair that Britain should have the same. Tho Italians to-night issued a. statement reiterating that they nol ' retire from their position of wanting a navy on an equality with that of France. With that proviso they would agree to a naw of any siz,e compatible with national security.—Special to Australian Press Assn. WILL CONFORM TO AMERICA’S WISHES. Paris, December 19. The uncertainty about the French altitude regarding the battleships ratio wns cleared up by a communique from the Ministry of Marine, stating that M Briand, on his arrival in London, had expressed a desire that France should conform to America’s wishes regaj-ding the ratio, but that no percentage had been fixed. —Reuter. firm on defence by submarines. Paris, December 19. The “Matin” asserts that the I tench delegates at Washington have been instructed to be conciliatory m tho matter of bigi warships, but adds that Iranco will stand firm on defence by submar-ines.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE PACIFIC PACT DUTCH PRESSING FOR RECOGNITION. (Rec. December 20, 0-25 p.m.) Washington, Dbcember 19. It is understood that the Dutch are pressing for some recognition of their position in tho Pacific, where they have no guarantee against aggression, as haie tho four Powers concerned in the pact. There will probably, therefore be another treaty, taking m the Netherlands, which may be separate or attached to tho proposed nine-Power treaty. Britain’s semi-official spokesman found it necessary to-day to deny a report that Britain over opposed France being a signatory to the four-Powcrs 1 aeific pact —Special to Australian Press Assn. CHINA AND JAPAN SHANTUNG PROBLEM NEARLY ' ' SOLVED. (Roc. December 20, 9.25 p.m.) Washington, December 19. It was semi-officially announced tontoht that considerable progress had been made towards a settlement of tho Shantung problem. Indeed, the Chinese and Japanese hoped to roach a conclusion. but though they sat late they were unable Io do so. Official. —At >. inert into of f lic Chinese nnd Japanese delegates to-day. discussion centred around a proposal from the Japanese delegation to have certain offices in the administration of the Tsinpitao-Tsinanfu railway filled with Japanese nationals. Tho meeting adjourned. Commenting on the change of Govern, ment at Peking, Dr. Wellington Koo said it would not mako any difference to .the delegation, as tho Foreign Minister in

tho lato Cabinet was now Acting-Prime Minister. —Special to Australian Press Assn. ANTI-AMERICAN DEMONSTRATIONS IN JAPAN. (Rec. December 20, 10.25 p.m.) Washington, December 19. Asked to-night about anti-American demonstrations in Japan, Baron Kato said he never heard of the organisation responsible. He thought a great deal of the agitation was due to men wanting a livelihood, rather than actuated by patriotism. With reference to Japan’s desire lo finance the purchase of the, Shantung railway, it has been suggested in influential quartci's that she use the present four-Power consortium for the purpose, which course is likely to be accepted by China. —Special to Australian Press Assn. CHINA’S CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT EFFECT ON DELEGATION. (Rec. December 20, 10.25 p.m.) Washington, December 19. American and Chinese circles? are discussing to-night the effect the change of Government will have on the delegation here. The results may be summarised Alius:—First, the resignation of the President, Hsu Shih Chang, with Li Yuan Hung ns successor; second, tha selection of a strong man as Premier, working for the financial rehabilitation of China as well as its unification; third, acceptance of an international consortium, with participation in the Chinese banking group, which may advance a loan to purchase tho Shantung railway; fourth, the adoption of policies calculated to strengthen the hands of the delegates, with which may bo coupled tho necessity of placing their finances in a better condition. It is asserted that the Chinese finances are so bad at present that some of the delegation are in arrears with their expenses, and are meeting the same out of their own pockets. —Special to Australian Press Assn.