FRANCE'S DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 279, 23 November 1921, Page 5

FRANCE'S DAY.

HER NEED OF STRENGTH

MENACE NOT VANISHED.

GERMANY'S TRAINED 3TORCES

COULD RAISE SEVEN MILLIONS

,BJ Cable.-rress Asso, i.niou. -Cor-yrts-ht.)

WASHINGTON. November 21. To-day was France's day at Washington. The- conference met in the morning in plenary session, and awaited with impatience the promised statement by jl Briand. At the opening of the proceedings Mr. f E. Hughes announced that gratifying progress had ' ip en made both in regard to disarmament and Kar Eastern questions since the last open meeting. The question of disarmament was proceeding favourably on reports by technical pxpert sub-committees. Regarding the fjr East most important declarations ],0d been made by the principal Powers concerned. Though he had nothing at lie moment to report, he was justified in saying that his expectation of expedition and thoroughness had been more tlan realised.

The question of land armaments remained for consideration. In that question the United States had no part. Her traditional policy was that her military etablishment should he on the smnlle-t possible basis. To-day, though 4.000.000 men were mobilised for the late war. the United States army amounted to only 160,000 men. Nevertheless, he fully realised the special difficulties facing the existing military forces of Europe, and understood the apprehension of countries. He realised that the essential condition was national securjtv. The conference regarded it as a fittiig opportunity to discuss these questions. All the delegates wished that a [nil explication of these matters bo presented to the world.

M. Briand rose after Mr. C. E. . Hughes had concluded. Speaking elo- ' nuently and fervently with a wealth of Gillie 'gesture and in tones expressive of strong emotion, the French Prime Minister outlined to a deeply impressed ' mdience France's position in Europe, and the conditions which prevented | ' France from following the lead of naval; ' disarmament and undertaking land dis- 1 armament. He foreshadowed, however, : .the decision of the French Government to halve the three-year military service period. SACRIFICE AND SECURITY. Though M. Briand avoided specific figures in connection with the intentions of the French Government, it is pointed' out that the limitations of the army cabled yesterday will follow automatically on the reduction from three years to IS months of the period of service with the colours. M. Briand thanked the conference for tie opportunity of presenting France's casttothe attention of the whole world, fiance was more ready than any other country to direct attention to steps to ensure the final peace of the world, i Itaice was ready to make sacrifices to tie iullett extent possible, but she had her own national security to consider. "If you want to make peace,"' continued 11. Briand, "there must be two people willing to do so, yourself and your neighbour. Besides "physical disarmament there must be moral disarmament. The conditions prevailing ill Europe compel France to contemplate them from the point of view of her own security. "Some people have said. "War is over. Peace is signed. Germany has reduced her army. Why should France maintain c large army* abundantly supplied with equipment?' It has been said that Prance wants the military supremacy of Europe, to fill the position at which Germany aimed. That is the cruellest, saddest, and - most disheartening thing to suppose France capable of wishing to renew the horrors of war. France wants pence with all her heart. She believes in it with all her faith, but there have been many di3apnointments since the armistice. MILITARISM IN GERMANY. "France has seen Germany discuss and haggle over her pledged word, refuse to nay reparation, and refuse to disarm. Under this provocation France has remained perfectly calm. France in her heart has no hatred of Germany, but we have no right to weaken our Position. That will give rise to certain hopes in Germany. "There is one nart of Ciermany for peace, especiilly among tli" working classes. For that Germany we will do everything we can to help restore her to the comity of democratic peoples. But there is another Germany with thoughts and ambitions unchanged by war. France has witnessed several attempts in Germany to return to militarism, and German military leaders still declare that war is the cornerstone of Germany, and are still doing their utmost to keep alive the military evirit. How can France close her eyes to this f' Dealing with the physical aspects of disarmament, M. Briand said that Germany not only had 7,00-n.OOO men who nad passed through war training, but in the Keichswehr and other organisations, ostensibly for police purposes but "ally ready for war, she had cadres of nearly 300,000 almost entirely eoniof officers nnd non-commissioned officers of the old regular army, ready *t a moment's notice to marshal an army. France recognised in Dr. Wirtlr; the German Chancellor, a man of goodwill, who had endeavoured to maintain a state of peace, but the Government W »S \<eak against outside foives. Germany could raise in a few weeks, even J few days, tin army of (i.000,000 to '.000,000 effectives with trained officers. *OUSH BARRIER TO RUSSIA. ''l-'ndoubtedly Germany had destroyed * great many guns, some under the supervision of" the Allies, but the probof war material was easily solved, "crmany was a vast manufacturing country, where there were plans, deigns, and everything ready to ensure * speedy output of war material. France has too many homes in Mourning, too many disabled men." continued M. Briand. " "Therefore we have 5° right, and do not intend to leave i>*nce defenceless. And whpt of the rest of Europe? Russia is boiling over w 'th anarchy, and has an army of 40U.0Q0 She attempted 18 months ago * "ild/fush through" Poland to those in who were beckoning her. If toe Polfeh barrier had not held, whore Would France and the rest of Europe to toitlay?" The thought of reducing the army had been constantly in his mind. proc'eedeS M- Briand. The French Government had taken the responsibility of reducing

military service from three to two years. There were now only two classes under the flag, and carrying out its pledge, the Government would announce within a few days a further reduction of military service to half its former length. If anyone asked France to consent to a further reduction, France must answer. I Impossible.

APPEAL TO CONSCIENCE. "We appeal to your consciences," M. Briancl went on. "If Franco is to remain alone, facing the situation I have described, you must not deny her the right to do what she is doing. The time has not come for France to disarm. We need to know whether France is morally ir-olatcd, or whether she has still with hrr the hearts and Roodwil! of all the Allies who fought with her. It should be known to Germany that France is not alone, so as to" dispel pcisonou? propaganda designed to create suspicion and hatred anion;; the Allies. I'cace will come much quicker if Germany is told that France does not stand alone." After M. Brinnd's speech the delegates of all the nations spoke in terms of warm appreciation of and sympathy with France. Mr. Balfour paid a tribute to the eloquence and power of M. Briand's speech, which had placed before the conference the inmost thoughts of a great statesman. "It must be sorrowfully admitted."' proceeded Mr. Balfour. "that M. Briand's speech is not hopjful regarding a reduction of land armaments. Why does the conference look forwar.l with serene confidence to arriving nt some conclusion of the great problem of naval disarmament V Because there is moral disarmament on which physical disarmament .an be built, but France has no assurance from Russia and Germany of moral disarmament. M. Briand seems to have some fears that France will be left in moral isolation. That would be a tragedy indeed. I Applause.) BRITAIN STILL READY. "That the liberties of Europe, and of France in particular, be maintained and guarded against the dominating policy of her eastern neighbour, is the cause for which the British Empire fought, and in which the Empire still believes. The Empire lost nearly a million men in the field, and over 2.000.000 wounded. If the cause was worth this sacrifice, how could we see that cause for which we have done so much perish before our eves rather than make further sacrificef

Signor Schanzcr said that Italy was still morally on France's side, but he expressed the hope that the conference would consider a reduction of land armaments as essential to promoting the world's peace. Italy had succeeded in coming to an understanding with Serbia. Italy's policy was not only peace to former enemies, but assistance. Italy had considerably curtailed her naval expenditure, and her land forces did not exceed 200.000.

Admiral Kato said that Japan enter tnined the nrofoundest sympathy with France's peculiarly difficult position, and appreciated the great sacrifices she had made in the cause of peace. Japan was ready to announce her hearty approval of the principle of reducing land armaments, subject to the demands of her national security and maintaining order. It was no easy task to lay down a general scheme. Japan hnd not the slightest intention of niaintnining a land army more than was necessary for defensive purposes.

FRENCH STAND FOR LIBERTY.; M. Cartier said that Belgium was keeping her army to a level strictly necessary for her national security. Shecould not make further reductions. Mr. C. K. Hughes, summing up the discussion, welcomed the opportunity of stating the position and policy of the United States. "No words ever spoken by France." he said, "have fallen on deaf ears ill America. Our hearts arc; thrilled with the sacrifice France has made. The memory of lier stand for liberty is imperishable in this country. It is "evident that what is essential at this time to achieve our great ideal is the will to peace. X'ntil the institutions of liberty and justice are secure against all attack I emphatically declare there is no moral isolation for the defenders ot" liberty and justice. (Applause.) "I cannot foresee what practical measures may be available at the conference," concluded Mr. Hughes, "but 1 am confident that there will be generated a disposition to preserve national security which military measures never supply. When that is effected, peace will be enduring in our midst."—(A. and ~S.Z. Special Representative.)

FRENCH VOLTE FACE. NAVY EQUAIi TO JAPAN'S. R/TIO OF SM/iIAER POWERS. WASHIXGVON. November 22. Naval matters were of secondary interest at the Washington Conference to-day, writes the special representative of the Australian and New Zealand Press \ssociation. It became known that the American advisers had insufficient knowledge of the existing nests, and consequently did not appreciate the effects ot the -Vmericsu scheme. British experts were enabled to show by. dissection in detail that the proposals would have most unexpected results, and the Americans arc now co-ordinating their new a it was stated to-day that it vyas inaccurate to describe Japan as declining to agree to the five-five-three ratio. Japan is merely critical on the subject of tonnage, and is studying carefully the formulae whereby the ratio has been

arrived at. It has transpired that Italy desires a fleet in the .Mediterranean as strong as that of any other Power. Another'surprise was sprung to-night, when frem French quarters came a. statement that France wanted the same size capital-ship fleet as Japan, and as much submarine tonnage as Uritain or the United States; also that France does not desire the naval holiday to apply to her after 1020. owing to spsciil reasons govern ins French needs for replacement. This'request will Ik- placed before tile Committee on Armaments by M. Hriand before his departure. If this intention is correctly reported, it constitutes a complete volte face on the part of the French delegation, which, until two days aso, affirmed that the French .fleet was negligible and needed no attention by the conference. Deductions may be 'drawn from the circumstances tliat the request follows Mr Balfour's argument that before the tnree great naval Powers finally agree on a limitation of navies, smaller fleets should also be regulated. It is Known that M. liriand held a conference with Mr. C. E. Hughes and Mr. H. 0. Lccige before the French statement was issued.

It is imj>ossible to avoid .1 comparison of the five to three ratio for Britain and Japan with the proposed five to thrco ratio for the United States and France.— (A. and £.Z. Cable.) . s»s