JUSTICE TO FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18021, 21 February 1922, Page 7

JUSTICE TO FRANCE.

ADMIRAL DE BON'S DEFENCE.

INSULTING ASPERSIONS.

NEW YORK. Feb. 9.

Addressing the American Society for the Restoration of Devastated Prance, Admiral de Bon, who was one of the French delegates at the Washington Conference, said that in what was a supreme insult, soninono dared to pretend that Prance had warlike ideas, susceptible of being directed against her Allies of yesterday—Britain and the United States. It was not Prance who voted agauist the abolition of the submarine at the Washington Conference. It was all the nations except Britain. All the others decided that it was practically impossible to do away with the submarine. Franco had kept to a submarine tonnage of 90,000, because that was the United States' proposal. Prance's military establishment is necessary to her security. "Where is the League of Nations, the almighty protector of peaee, which was to guarantee French security?" asked the admiral. "It is time legends about French intentions were dispelled. The naval treaty limits France to one-sixth of her normal sea power, while other countries must reduce by about one-third the extraordinary power gained in the race for armament.

"In spite of the unnecessary, unjustified and unaccountable agitation which entangled its works," proceeded the admiral, everyone is justly praising the results of the conference. France is the only nation which did not get any benefit out of the understanding reached. France has no guarantee of security in any part of the world, but the unhealthy atmosphere will repay those who even before we left France described the French as seeking privileged treaties, the cancellation oi debts, etc. They will grow tired of their perfidious campaign, and justice will be granted to honour the loyalty, generosity, and peaceful intentions of France."