FRANCE ACCEPTS RATIO

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 303, 21 December 1921, Page 5

FRANCE ACCEPTS RATIO

m FOR FIRST IINE SHIPS. BUT NOT FOR SUBMARINES. THE DEFENSIVE FLEET. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Oopyriglit.) ißeceivpil 12.30 p.m.) PARIS, December 20. The French Government has accepted Mr. Hughes' naval ratio of 175,000 tons in capita] ships, but declines to accept the same proportion in the reduction of defensive ships, such as cruisers, torpedoers. and submarines. — (A. and N.Z.) ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. OPPOSED TO LARGE BUILDING. WASHINGTON, December "20. The French delegation issued its first statement to-night. It does not say much. M. Sarraut explained that word had been received from Paris and London which had been immediately submitted to Mr. C. E. Hughes. After a two hours' session it was agreed that the whole matter should be referred to a meeting of the naval sub-committee to-morrow. The attitude of the French Government, as always, added M. Sarraut, ivas to do its best to come to a satisfactory settlement, and its present indications were that they were approaching agreement. One hopeful sign was that M. Sarraut refen-ed to '"unexpected" events arising which might necessitate further reference to the French Government, but he also hinted that instructions had been received which covered both capital ships and submarine?. This suggested thai the French are still in a mood for bargaining and want to offset their yielding on the capital ship question by securing the maximum allowance of submarines. This will not suit the British, who are pressing for a. plenary session this week to bo set apart for discussion of the Hubmarine question, so that they can state the British case for the abolition of submarines. ■ This Lord Lee will do. but if the French make their acceptance of the capital ship ratio contingent on a greater submarine allowance the issue is likely to be obscured, to the detriment of the British. Moreover, if the French insist on the maximum allowance of submarines Britain will, as cabled some time ago, announce that she holds herself free to build to the absolute limit submarine chasers and all kinds of submarine defence devices. Britain is very anxious to have the matter discussed entirely on its own merits, but it is understood that the United States delegates are nojt co inclined, foreseeing the weakness of their own case as upholders of disarmament, advocating the preservation of the worst form of naval warfare. But it is difficult to see how the British request ran be avoided, considering that the United States and France have both had days specially their owrcJn plenary sessions. ,It seems only fair fhat Britain should have the same. The spokesmen to-day refused to comment on the submarine issue on the ground that it has not yet been before the conference and they could not, therefore, give an opinion even on principle. ilt is understood the great amount of work regarding details of the triple naval agreement are still untouched; for instance, the manner in which ships shall be scrapped and what parts may be preserved. There arc also other very important details.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) THE JAPANESE AGITATION. WASHINGTON, December 20. Asked to-night" a.bout the report of anti-American demonstrations in Japan, Admiral Kato said he had never heard of the organisation said to be responsible. He thought a gTeat deal of the agitation was due to men who were more concerned for a livelihood than actuated by patriotism.— (A. and N.Z. Special.) ITALIAN EQUALITY. WASHINGTON, December 20. The Italian delegates to-night issued a statement reiterating that they would not retire from their position of wanting a navy oqual to that of France. With that proviso they would agree to a navy of any size compatible with national security.—(A. and N.Z. Special.