The New York herald., 1922-05-22
TREATY APPROVAL
IS AWAITED BY U. S
America and China Only
Nations to Approve Con-
ference's Acts.
EUROPE is IN DOUBT
Relationship Between Ger
many and Russia Seen
as Menace.
FRANCE is SUSPICIOUS
Japan Is Expected to Vote
Endorsement to All
This Week.
FRANCE is SUSPICIOUS
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., May 81.
The United States Government is
waiting patiently for the other ma
tions that participated in the Wash
ington Conference on the Limitation
of Armament to ratify the treaties
signed at the conference so that the
full benefits of the agreements may be
realized.
1t Is now more than three months
since the conference ended, February
s, and more than two months since
the United States ratified all the
treaties. The only other nation that
has taken similar action is China, al
though word has come to Washing
ton that Japan has ratified the Shan
tung treaty and probably will ratify
the other Washington compacts this
week. While it is understood that
ratification by the British Parliament
is not absolutely necessary, 1t has been
suggested that the naval treaty at
least would be submitted to Parliament
on account OF its Importance.
The chief concern in Washington at
this time is with the naval treaty pre-
scribing the size Of the fleets to be
maintained. by the United States. Great
Britain. Japan. France and Italy. vir-
tually all American arrangements have
been made for scrapping surplus ton
mage, but as a matter OF general pol
icy these are being held in allegiance
until the rest of the naval Powers def
initely Join the curtailment program.
Japsn's Help Needed.
If the dispatches from Toxic are cor
rect and II Japan enters into the treaty
soon. State Department officials believe
that will help to a considerable extent.
There is no real doubt that the Euro
pean countries intend eventually to rat
ify. but tho question Is just when they
intend to do so.
So much has happened in Europe
since the delegates signed the treaties
In Washington that the outlook is CON
fused Washington officials. including
President Harding and Secretary
Hughes, generally understand that a
great deal depends on the outcome of
the coming Hague conference. II this
conference succeeds in the adjustment
of European affairs it is anticipated
that ratification will not be long de-
layed. but II The Hague conference
fails there Is no telling what will hap
pen. -
According to State Department re-
ports, the Japanese delay has been due
to local conditions and not to any real
objection to the treaties. including the
navy treaty. limiting Japan's sea power
20 three-fifths that OF the United States
and Great Britain. 1t has been recog-
nixed in Japan that there was no real
hurry about ratification and Japanese
officials have considered 1t wise to wait
until all the people could understand the
exact treaty provisions. With the peo-
pie generally satisfied the Japanese
Parliament is said to be ready now and
ratification will be almost immediate.
Troublesome Factor.
As soon as Japan ratihes tho treaties.
in the opinion of Washington officials,
all eyes win be turned toward Europe.
waiting for Great Britain, France and
Italy to act. It is doubted IL these three
nations will want to be in position of
holding up the naval Limitation program
and the fulhllment OF their obligations
under the other treaties.
One troublesome factor, however so
far as the European nations are con-
cerned. Is said to be the relationship
between Russia and Germany. which
easily might become a menace to Great
Britain and France. This difficulty had
not appeared when the delegates left
Washington and officials here believe II
has been one of the elements In the de-
lay, particularly with Great Britain and
France.
In France officials have been saying
that the delay Is not unusual. that there
have been so many other things TO be
considered. including the Genoa con-
ference. that they have been unable to
get to the consideration OF the Washing
ton agreements. Yet IL Is felt here that
there is something greater than that
back OF the delay.
France. II is reported unofficially Is
less eager TO ratify the navy treaty than
either Great Britain or Italy. The navy
treaty has not been 80 popular in France
as In the other two countries, as was
evident even during the Washington ne
gotiations, sAen the French ratio was
objected 20 by French delegates. I'm
official reports now being circulated in
Washington so 80 far as 70 say that
France has no intention OF ratifying the
navy treaty any time.
Such delay might. II Is recognized,
influence the action OF Great Britain.
although efforts will be made 10 have
Great Britain and Italy take the lead
in ratification IL necessary to induce
France 10 adopt less militaristic atti-
tude. The Washington Government. OF
course. VIII not fall to use any proper
Influence to obtain early ratification.
In view OF the delays. attention has
been directed TO the fact that In none Of
the treaties ls there a time limit for
ratification. The nations can delay for
an Indefinite period. II raises a diplo-
matte question as 20 how long anybody
would be bound while waiting for the
others TO Join.