LIMITATION OF NAVIES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17811, 10 July 1923, Page 7

LIMITATION OF NAVIES.

FRANCE AND THE WASHINGTON TREATY. STATEMENT BY M. POINCARE. (BT CABLE—PHZ33 A3SOCIATIOK—COPTMOHT.i (AtTSTUAUAN AKD K.Z. CABLE ASSO'JIATIOX.) (Received July Oth, 5.15 p.m.) . PARIS, July 8. During the debate in the Chamber of Deputies, which resulted in the ratification of the Washington Naval Treaty, M. Briand and M. Poincare agreed that the fixed figures for capital ships did not affect other units, and France's liberty was not bound so far as light cruisers, torpedo-boats, and submarines were concerned. M. Bcrthou (Communist) said France's post-war abstention from warship building was due solely to financial reasons, and added sarcastically that no one foresaw her present difficulties with Britain and Italy. M. Poincare heatedly intervened, and declared: "This is an abominable statement, which may be misinterpreted abroad. It is ridiculous to pretend that we want to build cruisers and submarines against Britain and Italy. We are forearming against a menaco which may come in the future from Germany." UNITED STATES NAVY. THE ACTIVE FLEET. (Received July 9th, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORE, July 8. The Washington correspondent of tho "Now York Times" learns that tho General Board of the Navy submitted a plan which Mr E. Donby, Secretary of tho Navy, approved to maintain in fighting trim at sea. A minimum naval forco of eighteen first-line battleships, fourteen cruisers, and eighty-four submarines irrespective of what action Prance may tako regarding the Washington Naval Treaty. A strong feeling, however, exists among an important faction in Congress that when France approves tho Treaty the United States will be ablo to reduce its Navy below the size authorised in the Treaty.' The correspondent finds that officials are inclined to approve the Japanese sentiment for a British-American-Jap-anene pact in the event of France's failure to approve the Treaty. The French Chamber of Deputies ratified the Treaty by 460 votes to 106. The Washington Treaty for the Limitation of Naval Armaments was signed on February 6th, 1922, and has now been ratified by each of the five signatory Powers. The Treaty limits the number, size, and armament of capital ships, the total tonnage, the size and tho armament of aircraft-carrying ships, and the size and armament of warships other than capital ships and aircraft carriers. Capital ships are limited to 35,000 tons displacement, and guns of 16 inches calibre. Aircraft carriers are limited to 27,000 tons displacement, and guns of 8 inches. No other warships shall exceed 10,000 tons displacement, with guns of 8 inches. Under the terms of the Treaty the capital ships to be retained by the respective Powers are as follows: —United States, 18 Bhips of 500,650 tons, to be increased to 525,850 tons by the completion of two ships under construction, and the scrapping of two older ships; Great Britain, 22 ships of 580,450 tons, which will be reduced to 20 ships of 558,950 tons on the completion of two ships under construction, and the scrapping of four older ships; Japan, 10 ships of 301,320 tons; France, 10 ships of 221,170 tons (one of 23,500 tons has since been wrecked). France may lay down new tonnage in the years 1927, 1929, and 1931 to replace obsolete ships; Italy, 10 ships of 182,800 tons. Italy may lay down- new tonnage in 1927, 1929, and 1931. a . The total tonnage of aircraft carriers of each of the five Powers shall not exceed, for the United States 135,000 tons, Britain 135,000 tons, Japan 81,000 tons, France 60,000 tons, and Italy 60,000 tons.