Mr. Balfour, commenting in plain terms on 11f. Sarraut's speech,
pointed out that France desired to rival Great Britain and America in submarines, and to possess a larger number of new vessels than they had. It was obvious that so great a sub- marine flotilla, out of all proportion to the French battle fleet, was intended for the destruction of merchantmen. Mr. Balfour declared that we °must reserve the right to build all the auxiliary craft that we might think necessary to deal with the situation. Signor Schomer said. that the decision of France occasioned grave concern to Italy. M. Sarraut, in reply, hinted that France felt hurt. because Great Britain, America and Japan had fixed the amount of her naval tonnage " without taking any account of her manifest needs." At a later -stage he repudiated all responsibility for All article in the semi-official French naval journal defending. Germany's misuse of the submarine against merchantmen. We regard • that," he said, "as an infamous doctrine."
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