SAFETY OF FRANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 280, 24 November 1921, Page 5

SAFETY OF FRANCE

NOT YET ENSURED.

BRIAND'S VINDICATION

POLICY OF SEUT-DErEWCE.

OFFER OF REDUCTION. (Bj- Cabie. -Tress Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 2H. lie special correspondent of the United Service at Washington says that American feeling in regard to M. Briand's and Mr. Balfour'g speeches is reflected in to-day's leading articles. The Philadelphia ''Ledger" says that the security of France is uncertain so long as the spirit of Germany remains mixed and tinctured with the things of to-day. The peace of Europe will not be secure till Germany can put revenge out of her heart. America, though she may help, cannot pledge that help. The Xew York "Times" says that France must attend to her own security. Americans ought not to say nay unless they are prepared to come forward with b sound alternative plan, or unless they have the face to deny that America, in the same position as France, would do exactly what she is doing. The "Tribune" declares that "SI. Briand's noble vindication of the morality of France is not only intellectually convincing, and stirs deep emotion, tut there is a sense of shame in thinking of forcing France, with her shining record, to defend herself against aspersion. The New York "World" says that France's offer of military reductions is an example of both moral and material disarmament. The New York "American" considers if. Briand's speech a real page in the world's history. Mr. Hughes' motherly love speech that startled the conference was a pretty fairy story. The world knows from M. Briand that France will not dinarni. She means to rely on force. Those who do not like it may lump it. On that score France will hear some plain and savage talk from Italy, and loss savage but as plain from England. (United Service.)

PACIFIC FORTIFICATIONS.

THE SUGGESTED LIMITATIONS.

ISLANDS OF THE EAST. (Received 1.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 23. It is understood that earnest coniidemtion lias been given to the examination of questions limiting Far Eastern fortifications, especially on islands controlled by Japan and the United States. There is a strong sentiment in America towards meeting Japan's representation that the fortifications of Guam and the Philippines-should not be strengthened, provided similar conditions are applied to Yap, tteliaishalls, and the Carolines. It is not suggested that existing fortifications be dismantled. China is somewhat disappointed at the treatment accorded her, as instanced by yesterday's resolutions, which it is felt foreEhadow an attempt to sidetrack seme of tie problems she hoped to get before the Conference. Other nations, however, welcome the procedure adopted.— (A and N.Z. Cable.)

GERMANY'S FORCES.

REGULATED BT ENTENTE.

BRIANB'S STATEMENT DENIED (Received 10 a.m.) BERLIN, November 23. In regard to M. Briand's speech at the Washington Conference, it is semi-offi-cially denied that the Reichswehr consists mostly of ex-officers and ex-non-rame. The great majority of the Reichswehr are youths appointed after the war. The police are nowiee controlled by the Imperial Government, but it is stated that its sole task is to maintain order in the interior. Its numbers, organisation, and armament are regulated by the Entente Control Commission. The , police poasess only the rifles and light guns allowed them, but no heavy guns. The Citizens' Guard, mentioned by M. Briand, has long been disbanded and its weapons surrendered or destroyed. All the armament factories in Germany are closed and the machindestroyed.—(Reuter.)

GERMAN GUARANTEES.

&EADY TO GIVE MORE.

WASHINGTON, November 23. M. Briand to-day expressed satisfaction at the manner in which his speech of yesterday was received. He said he Mlieved that he had achieved the purpose for which he came to Washington. It should be explained that the yearly c ase of the French Army consists normally of 250,000 men. If the period of service be cut down to 18 months, the wave army will total normally 375,000. "c proposals do not include the colonial an »y, mostly coloured troops which numbers 150,000. The army of 'occupa"on on the Rhine will not be reduced.

Herr Edmund yon Thereman, the new Charge d'Affaires, at Washington, to-day denied M. Briand's charge 'flat the German nation is a great Potential war machine. He affirmed that Germany j s prac tically stripped of arms, a Ott that the manufactories have been converted to peace-time production. He was sure that Germany would be willing 0 give further guarantees against warmaking to any international tribunal. !•*• and N.Z. Special Representative.)

FRANCE SATISFIED.

(Received 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, November 23. . The Paris "Matin's" correspondent interviewed JI. Sarrant, Colonial Minister, and a member of the French delegation to Washington, who declared "at the settlement of the Chinese qnosll <m satisfied him. The document did ?°t contain a word threatening French "wrests, it avoided raising irritating •"acuities of the past, and dealt justly *'n the future, but the Chinese must "•establish order in China.—<A =nd «*• Cable.)

FRENCH NAVAL SCHEME,

EQUALITY WITH 'JAPAN.

MEDITERRANEAN PLAN.

WASHINGTON, November 23.

The announcement that France intended to ask for increased naval tonnage to place her on a naval equality with Japan, created an unpleasant impression coming on the heels of M. Briand's eloquent appeal, states the special representative of the Australian and New Zealand Press Association. It was found necessary by the French delegation to withdraw the worst features of it* demand. M. Briand to-night declared that an incorrect impression had been created by the statement. He said that France had not yet completed her naval plan for presentation to the conference, so that any announcement wan premature and inaccurate. Capital ships were not where the primary interest of France lay. Submarir.es were more wanted. Mi Briand declined, however, to give a correction of the published figures, beyond saying that France proposed to construct a cruiser to fill out her Mediterranean squadron and to bring her light ve3sel 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. Italian spokesmen also emphasised Italy's preference for submarines. Important results may come from a meeting of the Disarmament Committee to-morrow, which will have before it the considered results of examination by experts of the American formulae in tlip right of corrections proposed by the British and Japanese naval advisers. It is believed that the controversy still circles round the JMutsu, but Japanese officials say that the hitch is only apparent, and need cause no apprehension.—(A. and N.Z. Special.)

THE JAP. DELEGATION.

(Received 9.30 a.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, November 23. llarquis Yamamoto, leader of the Sei Yu KPvi party in the Lower House of the Japanese Parliament, has arrived to attend the WasUii/fton Conference. Though representing the Majority party, he will attend in an unofficial capacity. —> (A. and N.Z. Cable.)