NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16174, 10 July 1923, Page 3

NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

FRANCE’S BELATED ACTION.

A SARCASTIC COMMUNIST.

AMERICA’S MINIMUM

Elcc. Tel Copyright—United Press Assn. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, July 8.

During tho debate in tho Chamber, which resulted in the ratification of the Washington Naval Treaty, MM. Biiand and Poincare agreed " that the fixed figures for capital ships did not affect other units, and liberty was hot bound, as far as light cruisers, torpedo boats, and submarines were concerned. M. Bertlnim, a Communist, said France’s post-war abstention from warship building was due solely to financial reasons, and added sarcastically that no one foresaw tho 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 we want to build cruisers and submarines against a menace which may come in the future from Germany.”

NEW YORK, July 8.

The New York Times’ Washington correspondent loams that the General Board of the Navy has submitted a plan which Mr. Denby has approved, to maintain in fighting trim a minimum naval force at sea of 38 first line battleships. 14 cruisers, and 84 submarines, irrespective of wlint action France takes regarding the Washington Naval Treaty; Strong feeling, however, exists among an important faction in tho Con gross that when France approves the United Stales w ill bo a bio to reduce its navy below the size authorised in the treaty. The correspondent finds officials are inclined to approve the Japanese sentiment for a British -American-Japanese pact, in the event of French failure to approve the naval treaty.