Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1921, Page 1

Washington Conference.

;From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.)

INTEREST!NG L ETTERS. H UGHES-BRI AND COR DESPONDENCE. WASHINGTON, Dee. 29. After the meeting of the sub-com-mittee on naval armaments to-day, a communique was issued with the correspondence between Mr Hughes and M. Briand regarding France’s claim to ten capital ships. Mr Hughes’s letter, after reviewing the ageement arrived at between Britain, the United Slates ami Japan, points out tli.-ii the sacrifices proposed by the United States Government have been substantially made. Tlie agreement, however, was dependent on the agreement between France and Italy. There was mu tit© slightest difficulty in regard to the latter, provided there \tiis it suitable onibu standing with France, thus tlie attitude of Franc© determined tbe success or failure of the efforts to reduce naval armaments. In dealing with Britain and Japan, facts were taken as they are. without academic discussion of national needs and .aspirations which could not be realised. Tlie ratio of capital ships taken is that existing, it was futile to secure a better one if nations with abundant resources built in competition. There was a proposed reduction of 40 per cent in the naval strength of tlie three Powers. Tf France reduced in the same proportion, her tonnage in capital ships would be fixed at 102,0(H). This France was not asked to do. “We are entirely willing that France should not scrap Dreadnoughts,” lie said. “There is not the slightest objection to allowing her a total of 175.000 tons. If it be said that France desires greater relative strength the obvious answer is that this is impossible of attainment. ’ If the proposed agreement was not made Britain and the United States would shortly have a million tons navies, more than six times greater than that of France, and Frame would "or be in a position to lietter herself. The agreement tremendously favoured France, by reducing the navies of Powers whose ships actually were in course »f construction. The basis was tar more tavoiiiable to France than otherwise was obtainable, and ieall;' was doubling the strength of the French navy. “I feel that the suggestion that France should build ten capital ships suggests a programme ol such magnitude as would raise great difficulties. In fact. I regret to say, alter canvassing the matter thoroughly. 1 am compelled to corn-hide it will not be possible on this basis to carry through the agreement. I need not point put our great desire that the economic burden of armaments should he lifted. This is not against the interests of France. We express the hope that her industries and research i 1 ■ be unvoted to economic recuperation and enhancement of prosperity, rat'"©! - dtnu l ' >: " pended in building fighting ships. At this lime, when we arc anxious to aid France to full recovery ol economic life, it wotild be a disappointment to he advised that site contemplates putting hundreds of millions into baillesliips. 1 have spoken llms frankly because ol my deep appreciation ol 1 tic mishit): and I hope that the matter which is. perhaps, the must critical yet reached at the conference, may be satislaetorily adjusted.” , M. Briand. in replxing. said:—"lf is the will of the French Government to do everything compatible with rare lot the vital interests oi France. In tbe question of naval aimaments the l>reoccupatm of France is not from ail offensive, but tin uniquely delensive, puiiU of view, lit regard to the tonnage of capital ships, that is attacking ships, I have given instructions to the French delegates in the sense you desire, and I am certain that they will be sustained by my Rarliamonl. but so far as delensive ships are concerned, light cruisers, torpedo boats and submarines, it would be impossible for the French Government In accept reductions corresponding to those which we accept for capital ships. I do not believe that it is in the programme In deny a nation like France, which lias a large exlent of coasts and a great number of distant colonies, the essential means of detending communications 1 am certain you appreciate the effort at conciliation we are making.

APPROACHING A C! IV \X. FULL COMMITTEE TO MEET. WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. The Naval Suh-Goinmiltee how is merged into a full committee oi all the plenipotentiaries, which will take up the w hole naval' question at the next meeting on Thursday, with the assistance of experts who have been inonihers of tbe sub-fiimmitloi’, Unis indicating that matters are approaching a climax. This view is substantiated bv the fact that they will not meet on Wednesday, giving ground for the belief thul much preparation i-' necessary, also that further cables aiv passing between Mr Hughes and M. Briand. It is pointed out that M. Briand-. liana linn legat'd ing su'umuiiies and auxiliary craft is iff in neentdanc© with the Hughes phm of th© proportion ol reduction in all tie ad ar'uamtntl.