ARMS OF FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17979, 3 January 1922, Page 5

ARMS OF FRANCE.

PLAIN SPEAKING. THREAT AGAINST BRITAIN. r/LN EMPHATIC DISAVOWAL. 'AEROPLANE CARRIERS. ALLOTMENTS ACCEPTED'. By Teiograph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 2.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON, Jan. 1. Tho Naval Armaments Committee of the Washington Conference met again on Friday. Ad official resume states that at the morning's meeting Lord Lee expressed a desire to clear up a misunderstanding as to the attitude of Britain in regard to ; submarines. Before tho French Govern-1 ment committed itself to the Eecond Root resolution there was a unique oppoitunity for France to reassure Britain. He wanted to explain to his French friends why apprehension existed. Britain was not clear as to what were the views of the French naval staff in tho matter of the utilisation of submarines. He did not want to be provocative in rall:n- .Mention to the kind of statement openly m-tde in high quarters of the French na'.al general staff. Last January the ißevue Maritime, published by direction of that body, had a series of articles on submarine warfave by an active staff officer and naval lecturer. Lord Lee read numerous quotations from tho articles, in •which it was claimed that the way the Hermans h,id used submarines wa3 first advocated by French writers, justifying this use. tha article concluded, " A martingale is at hand which will overthrow for good all tho naval power of the British Empire." That article, continued Lord Lee, was justification for the apprehension and even the bitterness which the British felt that their late allies should contemplate warfaro of that kind. Ho suggested that a way was open for the French Government to repudiate these doctrines by adopting the Root resolutions. If triis were done he believed that France would regain much of the ground lost between the two nations largely through genuine misunderstandings. Mischievous Artifle Repudiated. Admiral. Debon said that the idea of attacking a friend was inconceivable to the French. The article in question was written by an officer attached to the literary section, and in no way did it represent the views of the French Navy. He considered it a monstrosity. The French never harboured any notion of using German meth ids of submarine warfare, and he formally repudiated the article in the name of the French Navy. M. Sarraut. in his repudiation, protested against the campaign carried on by American papers against France. He defended France's action as designed for her national needs only, and asked for postponement of the Root resolutions that her srsent might be clothed in all the morai forco belonging to the decisions of the French Government. Ho pointed out that the wording of resol#ion three dealing with piracy only penalised officers of nations adopting it, and suggested an amendment making the application general. Mr. Elihn Root, acknowledged the importance and interest of the point, and tonsideration was then adjourned pending ndvices of the Goyernments. On the qnestion of limitation of the size ff cruisers to a proposed maximum of 10,000 tons, ihe calibre of guns not to ticeed eight inches, Admiral Kato agreed io the proposal, on behalf of Japan, and suggested that large merchant ships of high speed should be considered if the limitation were to be effective Mr. C. E. Hugnes said that the matter teas very important and would be discussed later. The Italian representative agreed to the proposed limitation. This means that all (he Powers have assented, though the French delegation is awaiting definite Instructions from Paris. More Aeroplane Caniers Allotted. In the afternoon the question of aeroplane carriers was considered. The Italian representative pointed out that the tonnage allotted would allow Italy only one *hip. She required two in order to keep Bt least one always in commission. Ho Baked for a quota of 54,000 tons, or double the allowance originally proposed, on condition that no higher tonnage was allotted k> any other Mediterranean Power. Lord Lee emphasised the fact that this class of ship was still in an experimental ' •tage. Admiral Debon asked for three ships 1 lor France, each of 20,000 tons, two for 1 European waters and one for the colonies, j where the use of aircraft for police purposes was thought to be of considerable j value. Admiral Kato said that the tonnage ' allotted to Japan was too low. He asked for three ships of a total tonnage of 81,000 * tons. Mr. Hughes said fiat the tonnage asked , for by the various delegations reflected the capital ship ratio. It was finally agreed that the allowance of aeroplane carriers should bo as fol- | lows:— Total. Number. Tonnage. Britain .. 5 155,000 United States .. 5 135,000 Japan .. .. 3 81,000 France .. .• 3 61,000 Italy .. .. 3 61,000 The ships for France and Italy will be amailer than the maximum individual tonmage allowed to the other three Powers— namely, 27,000 tons—owing to the desire of France to have two for her homo coasts and one for her colonies. A proposal will be forwarded to the Powers dealing with replacements of this type of vessel in view of its present ex-pu-imertal nature. After agreeing that Dther technical matters should be dealt with by expert committees and a general igreement drafted the committee ad(ourned. Definition of Merchant Ship. The special representative of the Australian and New Zealand Press Association states that the proceedings on Friday Beem to have removed Anglo-French discord, at any rate for the time being. Frankness and compliments alike helped to end the misunderstanding. M. Sarraut announced his satisfaction with the present situation. It is kuown that he has felt the attacks levelled against France from all sides very keenly, and he even nritiOed the French Government that his position was becoming intolerable. At the same time there are indications that France will not agree to the second Root resolution with Mr. Balfour's amendment without a further exposition of France's Utitude, and it is poiifible that France me,j make counter-proposals.

The French counter will probably be a request to the conference to lay down a definition of merchant ship to prevent large and swift vessels being converted into cruisers in the event of war. This matter is being considered by the naval eiperts. It is very probable that some recommendations will be made which will be acceptable to everyone. Signs are increasing of an early end to the conference. "Just about through," was the way in which the American official ppokesrnan described tho position of naval affairs after Friday's meeting. Hie matters outstanding comprise tho second and third Root resolutions, upon which the delegates to Italy, France arid Japan are waiting instructions from their Governments, also details of replacements, rules for scrapping, and various other highly technical subjects. There are also rules to be framed to clarify the questions of what are merchant vessels, and the building of combatant ships, all of which have been referred to a sub-com-mittee of experts to draw up recommendation*. A naval treaty, embodying all the agreements, is already in process of draftr ing, and it is possible to define now its scope and general incidence. j ;FRANCE AS A MENACE. I AN OUTSPOKEN ADMIRAL. SUBMARINES IN THE CHANNEL. (Received 5.30 p.tn.) United Service. LONDON, Dec. 30. "We must revert to France as a foreign State whose fleet requires special study if Franco insists upon her submarine programme," writes Admiral G. A. Ballard, director of naval operations during the war, in the course of an outspoken article in the Evening News. " All the documents in a certain safe at the Admiralty, of which only four people possess the key, will be labelled most sccret instructions for flag officer!* in the event of war with France." With 90,000 tons of submarines, Franco could make the Channel more dangerous for British capital ships than tho Germans in the North Sea. Britain would be obliged to maintain 200 submarines, the only alternative being conscription. " If the French employed their submarines in the Mediterranean it would go a long way toward paralyzing British power and influence in Asia Minor, Palestine, Egypt, and India. Such a position would suit a certain type of French politician, who is out to terminate the cordial relations between Britain and France, and would make strong measures for self-de-fence necessary."