NAVAL POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1921, Page 5

NAVAL POLICY.

DEMANDS OF FRANCE. ITALY NERVOUS. FAITH IN SUBMARINES. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) Received Nov. 23, 11.15 p.m. Washington, Nov. 22. The announcement that France intended to ask for increased naval tonnage to equal Japan's, as published this morning in Washington, created an unpleasant impression, coming on the heels of M. Briand’s eloquent appeal. It was found necessary by the French delegation to withdraw the worst features, and M. Briand to-night declared that an incorrect impression had been created by the statement. He sard France had not yet completed the naval plan for presentation to the conference so any announcement was premature and inaccurate. Capital ships were not primarily where the interest lies, as submarines were more wanted. M. Briand declined, however, to give a correction in regard to the published figures, beyond saying that France proposed to construct a cruiser for tne Mediterranean squadron and bring her light vessel classes up to pre-war strength. Italy showed nervousness to-day, and reiterated her contention that she should have as large a fleet as any other Mediterranean Power, though M. Briand contended that the proportion should be eight for France and six for Italy. The Italian spokesman also emphasised the nation’s preference for submarines. Important results may come from the meeting of the disarmament committee to-morrow, which will have before it lhe considered results o-f experts’ examination of the American formulae in the light of corrections proposed by the British and Japanese naval advisers. It is believed a controversy still centres round the Mutsu, but Japanese high circles say the hitch need cause no apprehension.