A FRANK STATEMENT

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

A FRANK STATEMENT

MR. HUGHES ON THE FRENCH

CLAIM

HOLDING T7P THE WHOLE PLAN.

WASHINGTON, 20th December.

After a meeting of the sub-committee on ; , naval armaments to-day, a coni- , munique was issued, with the correspondence between Mr. Hughes and M. Briand regarding the French claim to ten capital ships. Mr. Hughes's letter, after reviewing the agreement arrived at between Britain, the United States, and Japan, points out that the sacrifices proposed by the American Government had been substantially made. The agreement, however, was dependent on agreement between France and Italy. There was not the slightest difficulty in regard to Italy, provided there was a suitable understanding, with France. Thus the attitude^f France determined the success or' failure of the efforts to reduce naval armaments. In dealing with Britain' and, Japan, the facts were taken as they 'are,'without.an academic discussion of national needs or aspirations which could not be realised. The ratio of capital ships taken is that now existing. It would be futile* to secure a better one if the nations with abundant resources build yin competition. There was a proposed reduction of 40 per cent, in the naval strength of the three Powers. If France reduced in the same proportion, her tonnage in capital ships would be fixed at 102,000. This France was not asked to do. "We are entirely willing that France should not scrap her Dreadnoughts. There is not the slightest objection to allowing her a ,total of 175,000 tons. If it bo said that France desires a greater relative strength, the obvious .answer is this is impossible of attainment. FRANCE GREATLY FAVOURED. "If the proposed agreement is not made, Britain and the United States will shortly have a million tons of navies, more than six times greater than "France, and France will not be in a position to t better herself. The agreement tremendously favours France by reducing the navies of Powers whose ships are actually in course of construction to'a basis far more favourable to France than she could otherwise obtain, and really doubling the strength of the French Navy. I foel that the suggestion that France should build ten capital ships suggests a programme of such magnitude as would raise great difficulties. In fact, I regret to say that after canvassing the matter thoroughly I am compelled to conclude that it will not be ] possible on this basis, to carry through tfro agreement. I need not point out that our great desire is that the economic burden of armaments should be lifted. This is not against the interests of France. Wo express the hope that her industries'and research will be devoted to economic recuperation and the enhancement of prosperity rather _ than be* expended in building fighting ships at this time, when we are anxious to aid France to a. full recovery of her economic life. It would he a disappointment to bo advised that she contemplates I putting hundreds of millions into battleships. I have spoken thus frankly because of my deep appreciation of friendship, and hope the matter, which, is perhaps the most critical yet reached at the Conference, may be satisfactorily adjusted." N M. BRIAND'S REPLY. M. Briand, in replying, said: "It is the will of the French Government to do everything compatible with the care of the vital interests of France. In the question of naval armaments the preoccupation of France is not from an offensive, but a uniquely defensive poml of view. In regard to tonnage of capital ships—that is, attacking ships—l have given instructions to. tho delegates in the sense you desire, and I am certain they will be sustained by my Parliament; but so far as defensive ships are concerned—light cruisers, torpedo-boats, and submarines—it will be impossible for the French Government to accept reductions corresponding to those which we accept for, capital ships. I do not believe it is in the programme to deny a nation like France, which has a large extent of coasts and a great number of distant colonies, the essential means of defending her communications. I am certain you appreciate the effort at conciliation we are making, and ardently wish the striking success of the Conference."