THE NAVAL TREATY

Evening Star, Issue 18139, 1 December 1922, Page 6

THE NAVAL TREATY

BRITAIN DISCONTINUES SCRAPPING WAITING FOR FRANCE ANS ITALY. Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 29. In the House of Commons Mr B. M. Eyres-Monsoll (Financial Secretary to the Admiralty)j replying to Viscount Curzon (member for Battersea), stated that under tho Washington Treaty eight British capital ships had already been delivered to ship-breaking firms, six more had been rendered incapable of warlike service, am! two more would be, similarly dealt with by December 51. Mr Eyrcs-Monsell added that until all tho Powers ratified the treaty, which France and Italy had not yet clone, none was bound to dispose of vessels. Ho disagreed with tho suggestion that tho answer disclosed the serious fact that Great Britain had scrapped every ship except the Lion, while other nations had done nothing. Ho thought it right that Great Britain should give a lead in good faith and demonstrate? her intention to observe the treaty. Ho undertook, however, not to deal with any more ships until other countries had taken action. An official announcement is now made that Groat Britain will discontinue scrapping until Franco and Italy ratity the Washingotn Treaty.—Reuter.