The Washington herald., 1922-05-28
DELAYNAPPROVAL.
of ARMS TREATIES
HALTS U. 5. PLANS.
Scrapping Program De-
layed as Europe Neg
lects to O. X. Pacts.>
HAGUE MAY AFFECT
china Only Power to Approve.
Japan Ready to Act, Is
Report.

The United States government is
waiting hopefully and patiently
TOR ratification of the important
treaties of the Washington con-
ference on Limitation of ornament
by the principal foreign powers
which participated in their nego-
:iation.
This rovernment is anxious that
the full benefits of the treaties,
promptly ratified by the United
States, may be realized 1t is par
.icu.arIy anxious to have the naval
treat. H. effect so that tee Amsr.-
.an snip program car. be settled and
he scrapping of discarded vessels
executed.
Japan Ready to o. n.
More than three months have
passed since the washington con-
ference adjourned and more than
two months since the Senate rati-
led the treaties. Only one other
nation. China. has ratified the
treaties. Reports of an official
character have come to Washington
Il that Japan expects to ratify the
pacts soon. probably next week, but
there is nothing definite about this
and there may be considerable de-
lay. although nothing has been
heard here to indicate any serious
hitch over the treaties in Japan.
While it is understood that rati-
acation by the British Parliament is
not absolutely necessary. il has
been suggested that the naval
treaty at least would be submitted
to Parliament on account of its i'm
portance.
Naval Pact Is Worry.
The chief concern here is with
the paral treaty prescribing the
size of the fleets to be maintained
by the United States. Great Britain,
Japan, France and Italy. Virtually
all American arrangements have
heen made for scrapping surplus
tonnage. but as a matter of general
policy these are being held in abey-
ance until the rest of the naval
powers definitely join the curtail-
ment program.
There Is no real doubt that the
European countries intend event
ually TO ratify. but the question
So much has happened in Europe
since the delegates signed the
treaties in Washington that the out
look is confused. Washington Of
hcials. including President Harding
and Secretary Hughes, generally
understand that a great deal de-
pends on the outcome of the COM
ing Hague conference. II this con-
. ference succeeds in the adjustment
. of European affairs II is anticipated
that ratification will not be long
delayed. but il The Hague confer
ence fails there Is no telling what
will happen.
RussO-German Past flinders.
sAccordinE 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 to three-fifths
that of the United States and Great
Britain. With the people generally
satisfied, the Japanese Parliament
is said to be ready now and ratifi-
cation will be almost Immediate.
One troublesome factor, however.
so far as the European nations are
concerned, is said to be the relation
ship between Russia and Germany.
menace to Great Britain and FraDce.
/ This difficulty had not appeared when
the delegates left Washington and
officials here believe ii has been
one of the elements in the delay,
particularly with Great Britain and
France.