THE NAVAL TREAT

Otago Witness, Issue 3618, 17 July 1923, Page 20

THE NAVAL TREAT

ACTION BY AMERICA. NEW YORK, July 8. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times learns that the General Board of the Navy has submitted a plan which Mr E. Denby (Secretary of the Navy) has approved to maintain in fighting trim a minimum naval force at sea of 18 first-line battleships, 14 cruisers, and 84 submarines, irrespective of what action F’rar.ce takes regarding the Washington Naval Treaty. A strong feeling, however, exists among an important faction in Congress that when France approves the United States will be able to reduce its navy below the size authorised in the Treaty. The correspondent finds that the officials are inclined to approve the Japanese sentiment for a British, American, and Japanese pact in the event of the French failure to approve of the Naval Treaty. M. POINCARE ANNOYED. PARIS, July 8. During the debate in the Chamber which resulted in the ratification of the Washington Treaty, M. Briand and M. Poincare agreed that the fixed figures for capital ships did not affect other units, and Fiance’s liberty was not bound so far as light cruisers, tropedo boats, and submarines were concerned. M. Bethou (Communist) said that France’s post-war abeention from warship building was due solely to financial reasons, and he added sarcastically: “No one foresaw the 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 or Italy. We are forearming against the menace which may come in the future from Germany.” RATIFIED BY FRANCE. PARIS, July 9. The Chamber of Deputies has unanimously ratified the Pacific Treaty. July 12. The Senate ratified the Washington Naval Treaty and the Pacific Accord by 287 votes to 3. FRENCH LIMITS UNDER TREATY. Although adoption of the treaty by the United States, Britain, and Japan involves the scrapping by each party of a. large amount of existing or projected tonnage—in the case of the United States. PA0.740 tons; Britain, 583.375 tons; and .japan, 447,308 tons—no such obligation is incurred by either France or Italy. Both nations are permitted to retain the capital ships which they now possess—viz. : France, 10 ships (three of these are preDreadnoughts of the old type), with a total tonnage of 221.170 tons; Italy, also 10 ships, with a total tonnage of 182.000

The Pacific Pact, or the Four-Power Treaty, which France has now also ratified, pledges the signatory nations—Britain, France, Japan, and the United States—“to respect each other’s insular possessions and to take concerted action if their rights in these island areas are threatened by any outside Power.”

SATISFACTION IN AMERICA. WASHINGTON, July 12

Great satisfaction is expressed in official circles at the ratification by the French Parliament of the Naval Treaty without modification. It was feared that any reservations would necessitate reconsideration by the American .senate, and probably by the Parliaments of the other Powers, thus resulting in delay. It is now expected that the ratifications will be exchanged and deposited in Washington within a few months, thus putting the treaty into force and enabling the Powers to proceed with their scrapping programmes, especially Japan, which has been delaying dismantling her vessels on account of the non-ratification bv France.

TWENTY SIX SHIPS TO BF SCRAPPED.

WASHINGTON, Julv 14

Following on the F'rench ratification of the Washington Naval Treaties Mr Edwin Denby (Secretary of the Navy) has called a meeting of the American Naval Council to decide upon the programme for the scrapping of all the American warships provided for in tho treaty. Fifteen existing battleships, and seven battleships and four battle-cruisers under construction will be dismantled.