Albert Sarraut's acceptance of parity with Italy rested, in this account, on an expectation that Italy would not maintain enough ships to make that equality a problem. Jules Jusserand raised the need for a larger French force. Once equality with Italy had been accepted as a condition, raising the shared allowance would leave that relationship unchanged. France's overseas commitments led to the proposed alternatives of parity with Japan or a margin above Italy. Italy's refusal to accept less than France constrained either approach.
Notable Point · 1:04:37-1:06:49
Sarraut, Jusserand, and France's fleet allowance
The French delegates' disagreement concerned both fleet requirements and what could still be negotiated after accepting equality with Italy.