FRANCE’S NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1921, Page 5

FRANCE’S NAVY.

BIG FLEET DEMAND. CURIOSITY AROUSED. WHAT IS THE OBJECT. •From the Specia: Representative cf the Australian Press Assn.) Received Dec. 19, 7.55 p.m. Washington, Dec. 18. Conference circles were in a state of suspended animation to-day, discussion in all quarters naturally centring round the French demands for a large navy and the reasons for them. The French virtually -adnut that they shot high in their demands, and beyond doubt, if their spokesman is to be believed, they intended that the plans should be merely a basis of negotiations. How far they propose to climb down remains to be seen, but it cannot be supposed France will risk going to extremes and wrecking the Conference. Their apologists to-day are busy explaining that they did not really mean to demand ten battleships, but only asked that the principle be : oneeded that they could have them if they wanted. This argument was offset by another, that the last of the ten battleships should not be completed until 1941, iix years after the end of the naval aoliday.

Most opinion tends towards the idea that France, using old-fashioned methods of diplomacy, is asking for the maximum with a view to trading either in the matter of larger tonnage in submarines or •ecuring a definite guarantee that Britain Frill come to her aid if attacked. France snows it is practically hopeless to expect meh a guarantee from the United States, md thinks this threat of hers to build a -ig navy, which would be supreme in European waters when finished, will induce Britain to agree to give her unreserved Pledge, which the British Parliament sanctioned, but only with the express stipulation that the United States also gave filch a pledge.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ACTION OF FRANCE. CHANGES THE SITUATION. STORM OF ANGRY COMMENT. Washington, Dec. 17. The special representative of the Australian Press Association says undoubtedly the French action in demanding a navy equal to that of Japan’s has been the most sensational happening of 4he present conference, the more so beatuse it was so unexpected. The indications are that the French lever anticipated that their intentions vould be published, and hoped to use their first attitude for bargaining purposes. There are also signs that the move was the result of their soreness in

being relegated to the background during the Big Three discussions, which hurt their pride, but it is evident they Were quite unprepared for the storm of criticism and angry comment which has burst from all the papers in the United States to-day and which is reflected in dispatches from London. France is now responsible for two rises at the Conference, the first when if. Briand's speech rendered all discuslion of land armaments futile, owing to France’s preseht mood of Germanoihobia. It is to be remembered that W. Briand in that speech, while refusing to consider a scheme for general iisarmament, assured Mr. Hughes that France would back him in the naval proposals. Now, France has come forward with a plan which, if persisted in, would make her the strongest naval Power in Europe. It would be useless to deny that* the ntuation to-day is not optimistically regarded by the American spokesman. In ais talk to pressmen to-day he was careful to say nothing which was calculated to further bad feeling. Pressed for some opinion, he replied, “I cannot'truthfully say that progress has been made.” lie declared that he was confident of a successful result, and pointed out the object of the Big Three agreement was io reduce armaments. It was impossible to allow any nation to increase them, and he profoundly hoped France would change her attitude.

FRENCH MAF CLIMB DOWN. The British semi-ofiicially confirmed the American spokesman’s views on the French attitude. He said that, now they were dealing with actualities, the French demands threw out of gear the whole naval settlement. It is understood that the French presented their case to a meeting of the sub-committee to-day and did not withdraw their claim for a navy eventually as large as that of Japan. At the conclusion of the statement the discussion was adjourned pending further advicesThis was taken to mean that the French are astounded at the trouble they have caused and have referred the matter to Paris, in which case Mr. Lloyd George and M. Briand, who meet to-morrow, may take a hand in the settlement. In this connection it is interesting to note that a suggestion, has been made for compromise on the basis that France shall be allowed to build three ships during the naval holiday and the whole matter of replacement be deferred for consideration until the end of ten years. This is discounted by the American and British attitude. They are dealing with actualities. Meanwhile French delegation circles are assiduously trying to minimise the effect of their action. They keep asduriog interviewers that the French only require a navy* as large as Japan in principle, as a matter of fact they are unable to finance and build such a navy. Their spokesman to-night deprecated such importance being given to the matter and pleaded that France had only begun to put her case when the whole country condemned her without hearing the whole of the defence. Such an attitude on the part of a high official may indicate that they are preparing to recede from their position when the opportunity to do so gracefully offers itself, which may be when the expected advices from Paris arrive. If assurances go for anything it is plain that France does not wish to wreck the Conference. The spokesman said tonight that he had high hopes of a favorable outcome.

The Shantung conversation to-day had to do entirely with the method of repayment to Japan for the railroad. China is willing to do so within three years; Japan wants twenty or thirty in order to minimise the distortion of trade That is her official reason, but nrobabiy sue wants to keen seme

financial check over the line until certain that China can govern herself and control the efficiency of the railway. STRAIGHT TALK TO FRANCE. It is understood that Mr. Hughes expressed himself strongly at the meeting to-day. He laid the American view unequivocally before the French that they should accept the ratio 1.7 as compared with Britain’s 5. Mr. Balfour supported Mr. Hughes, pointing out that France’s navy before the war was only one-third the size of Britain’s. Italy accepted Mr. Hughes’ proposal, stipulating that if France increased her tonnage she must do the same. Those in close touch with the French delegation say that there is every reason to expect she will accept a lower ratio than three, though not perhaps so low as Mr. Hughes’ figure. The French say: “We have suggested what we think our proper position, that is all.” It is thought more than probable that M. Garrant has already cabled M. Briand advising acceptance. BRITAIN’S NEW VESSELS. London. Dec. 17. The Washington agreement does not allow Britain to proceed with any of the four super-Hoods ordered prior to the Conference. Two smaller warships, of 35,000 tons each, will be ordered instead, but they will embody the results of the Jutland experience.