NAVAL LIMITATION

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 150, 22 December 1921, Page 7

NAVAL LIMITATION

COAST AND TRADE

DEFENCE

LIGHT CRAFT AND SUBMARINES

THE FRENCH REPRESENTATIONS

(UNHID PRB6S ASSOCMTIOS.—COPYRIGHT,)

(AVITIAUAN - HIW llALiUta CUtl AMOCIAIIOK.)

(Received December 22, 9 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, 20th Dec.

M. Sarraut to-night declared that France demands a larger allowance of smaller craft than she would be entitled to untter the application of the strict capital ship proportion. A full committee meeting on Thursday will be devoted in part to a detailed discussion of Britain's attitude on the abolition of submarines. The whole matter will be thrashedi out behind closed doom; then Britain will bo given an opportunity to state her case before the world at the plenary session next week. I (BPJCIAI, TO AUiTBALUN.N.I. PHI" 1IIOCI1T1ON.) (Received December 22, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, 20th Dec/ It, is possible that Mr. Hughes contemplates making further' representations on the question of submarines and. auxiliary outfit, though the American spokesman this afternoon suggested that the French acceptance of the capital ship ratio was not affected by their subsequent requisitions on the subject of submarine tonnage. It is assumed that the French will make the whole position clear at a meeting of the fall committee on Thursday. A significant remark by the American spokesman was that the aiiailiary tonnage is not of as great importance as the capital ship tonnage. This may indicate a modification of the Hnghes plan of proportionate, reduction ; and this is not unlikely, seeing that Mr. Balfour, at the second plenary meeting, registered the opinion that » nation like Britain, with long coast lines and a far-fjung EnvjOTe, had n«ed to defend ita trade routes^-and should have cruiser protection. ' It is suggested- that 'such vessels, should be of a light type, of no vain© in the fighting line, but invaluable for convoying, scouting, and defence of merchant ships. Now M. Briand makes a similar plea.