On Wednesday, the French delegates made it clear that they
could not accept Mr. Hughes's proposal. France must have the right to maintain a submarine flotilla with a maximum tonnage of 90,000, and light cruisers with a tonnage of 330,000. Mr. Balfour expressed very frankly his regret at the French decision. Under the circumstances, he said, Great Britain must reserve her right to build not only submarines, but also such light craft as she would need to protect her commerce. Mr. Hughes, referring to the suggestion that another Conference might be held on the submarine question, declared that the Powers represented would have to come to some agreement beforehand. He hinted, it is said, that America might recon- sider her partial rejection of the British demand for the abolition of submarines. We hare written on the whole subject elsewhere.
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