The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-03-30
NAVAL RATIO TREATY
AND BAN ON OUTLAW
WEAPONS RATIFIED
Agreement to Limit Fleets
and Arms Passed by
Senate "a to 1.
UNANIMOUS ON GAS
Compact Also Forbids Use
OF Submarines as Com
merce Destroyers.
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CHINESE ISSUE UP TO-DAY
Opposition Fades and All
Treaties Are Expected to Be
Disposed Of This Week.
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YoRK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Woghiurtou n O. March {

Special Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. March go.
With only one dissenting vote the
Senate to-day ratified the five Power
treaty limiting the size Of navies and
apportioning the ship ratio OF 5-5-3
for the world naval Powers, limiting
the caliber OF big guns to sixteen
inches and providing for the main
tenance of the status quo in Pacific
Notifications. from wkich Hawaii Is
excluded.
This action was followed by unani-
nous ratification OF the submarine
and poison gas treaty. which bars the
use Of submarines as commerce de-
stroyers, and inhibits the use OF poi
sonous, lethal and otker gases in war
fare.
The vote on the naval treaty was
"a to /. and on the submarine and gas
treaty. II to 0.
The dissenting vote on the naval
treaty was cast by Senator Joseph /
France (Md.), who said: II do not
intend TO have my hand stained
with the blood that at some future
time will follow this destruction Of
Americas fighting vessels" Senator
Frances declaration caused not the
slightest ripple in the Senate.
Opposition Disappears.
The votes showed that opposition to
the treaties growing out Of the confer
ence for the limitation of armaments
has died away. The debate which has
beei disturbing the Senate chamber for
the last few weeks. became to-day a
solemn expression or approval.
On both treaties Senator Borah. Sem
ator La Toilette and Senator johnson
voted AYE"
To-day's action. following the ratifi-
cation of the four Power and its sup
Elemental treaty. marked completion of
the naval agreem OF which four
treaties are a part. There still remains
the nine Power treaty relative to China
and another treaty relating TO Chinese
tariffs. Following ratification OF the
submarine treaty Senator Lodge imme-
diately called up the nine Power treaty
relative to China, which will be before
the Senate Tomorrow While there Will
to dispose of all OF the treaties by the
end OF the week.
Discussion OF the submarine and
poison gas treaty drew forth sharp
discussion OF the poison gas feature OF
the treaty by Senator Wadsworth IN.
W. In which he took the position that
chemical warfare had come to stay and
that the agreement was worthless one
which the nations never would keep.
Senator Wadsworth said the opposi-
tion existing to-day against chemical
erfare was similar TO that which ex-
isted against gunpowder when it was
first introduced and would be no more
effective. War. he said, was organized
cruelty. but he could not see why II
was more cruel TO destroy with gas
than with high explosives, especially
since the victim of gas had a much
greater chance to recover
Quoting from report OF the Surgeon
General Senator Wadsworth said the
soldier suffering from gas stood twelve
man injured by bullets, bayonets or
high explosives.
Doubts French Reservation.
Commenting on the feature OF the
submarine treaty. which prohibits their
use against merchant ships, Senator
a.
French would attach a reservation to
their ratification OF this treaty pro-
viding they would be the sole judges
OF what constitutes a merchant ship
Senator Lodges reply was that a
reservation OF this character would in
effect be a change In the treaty and
would compel its resubrission 70 the
negotiators. He doubted the French
would take such action.
The submarine and poison gas treaty
In effect provides:
/. Relation OF the doctrine OF
international law, providing that a
merchant vessel is not 70 be at
tackled without visit and search.
Nor ls II to be attacked under any
circumstances without placing the
crew and passengers In a place OF
safety.
g. The non-signatory Powers are
invited to assent to this reit =
tion OF international doctrine.
g. Submarine commanders violat-
ing these rules are 10 be treated
as pirates.
4. The impossibllity Of the use OF
submarines against merchant ves-
sells In recognized and this prohibit
tion among the signatory Powers IN
accepted at once. Non-sgnatory
Powers are to be invited TO adhere
to this new enunclation Of the prin-
cipies OF international law
s. The sisnatory nations agree
among themselves 10 bar the use In
war OF asphyxiating. poisonous or
other gases and all analogous
iin,rlds materials or devices