The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-13
EXPECT PARIS
WILL RATIFY
ARMS TREATY
Refusal Would Not
Deter Others
By MARK SULLIVAN

WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator
Hitchcock has asked from the state
department for formal statement OF
the present situation of the various
treaties and agreements arising out o.
the washington conference for the
limitation of armaments. On the same
day, Japan announces the completion
of her evacuation from ShantunS.
Both events, as it happens, came on
the anniversary of a day when the
conference itself was in session. and
when the French delegates created
CONSERVATION by their objection to
the limitation of capital ships, placed
upon France by Secretary Hughes
plan.
1t is fact that France has not yet
ratified the treaty arising out of the
Washington conference, and that
Frances hesitancy is the thing that is
now holding up the formal completion
of the work of the conference.
At this distance from Paris it is not
possible to speak with much authority
about what France is likely to do
There has been some misgiving here
about her delay.
Small Groups oppose.
The prevailing belief is that those
French statesmen, who are RESPONSE
BILE for the delay compose very
small group, and consist chiefly o.
extreme reactionaries including even
some monarchists, who are unwilling
TO accept any limitation upon
Frances freedom to expand in mil
itary and naval way.
1t is the prevailing judgment here
that this group will not be sufficient
to prevent ultimate ratification by
France Premier Poincare, although
he is the leader of what may be de-
scribed as the strong nationalist
group of France, is nevertheless in IA
vor of ratifying the Washington treat
les. 1t is the delay on the part of
France that is accountable for SINH
lar delay on the part of Italy, because,
while Italy is willing to accept the
same limitation as France. she is un-
willing to accept any limitation which
would leave France free to have a
larger navy.
Two Principal Treaties
Nevertheless, even if France should
finally give formal refusal to ratify
that action would not greatly reduce
the benefits of the Washington con-
ference. The principal treaties aris-
ing out of the conference were two:
One provided for a self-imposed limi-
tation of naval strength on the part
! of five nations. Great Britain, the
United States, Japan, France, Italy.
The other, known as the four-power
pact, bound four nations, Great Brit
ain. Japan. the United States, and
France, to guarantee peace in the Pa
cific AS to this latter treaty, failure
on the part of France to ratify would
make practically no difference.
The three principal parties to this
treaty were Great Britain, Japan and
the United States. France was in
vited TO join largely as an act of cour-
tesy to her. Her possessions on the
Pacific are negligible. If she should
refuse to ratify this treaty, undoubt-
edly the other three nations would 90
on with it as a three-power pact The
old AngIo-Japanese alliance would be
abrogated and all the benefits of the
treaty would be reaped.
Others Go Ahead.
As to the treaty for the limitation OF
navies. even if France should refuse
to ratify, it would make little differ
ence in actual practice. Frances re
fusaI to ratify would merely mean dis
inclination to accept the ratio of ships
accorded to her. 1t would not mean
that France would build a large navy
France has no such intention and hel
economic condition is such that the
building of a large navy will be i'm
possible for many years. Under these
-4.,,, l.,
actually gone ahead with the discon
tinuance of new construction, and IL
other ways have been putting int
practical effect the limitations Sc
down by the Washington conference.
Japan FuIfils Promise
OF all the nations who subscribed
u TO the Washington treaties, il cal
probably be said of Japan that she ha:
gone further towards fulfilment thAr
any of the others. Japan has discon
tinued her new construction. She ha!
also evacuated Shantung, further thar
this Japan has withdrawn her troops
from Siberia, although this latter ac
ton was not required of her by tht
Washington conference except at some
indefinite date in the future TIL,
promptness with which Japan has live
M TO her promise before the letter o
tho promise was due Is one of tn
most striking outcomes OF the Wash
ington conference.
All these things are definite and az
complished facts of the Washingto,
conference. Within very short tim
II will be known whether or not Franc
is going to ratify. If France shoul
givo notice of refusal to ratfy it ca
be expected with confidence that tn
other movers will then take stems 4
make secure practically all the add
tional benefits that could have bee
reaped from the Washington confer
cnce under any circumstances
Copyright 1922 by the New York
Evening Post Inc)
OIL III LII