Evening star., 1923-03-29
NOTIFICATIONS URGED.
Proposed Ban on New Ships Brings
Opposition.
BY Cable 10 The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1923.

BY Cable 10 The Star and Chicago paily news.
Copyright, 1923
PARIS. March 29.-Tnf,uential
French circles have arisen against
Premier Poincare's idea that the
WASHINGTON treaties should be ratl-
fled by France without notifications.
lie Matin, LIE Temps and the Journai
de Debats are unanimous In declar-
ing that the idea of Deputy Guernter,
author Of the report on the treaties
submitted to the chamber OF deputies.
is correct and that France should
append to it's ratification an inter-
pretive article making clear that, so
far as France is concerned, the naval
limitation ratio can be accepted only
until December 81, 1886.
Sex. Denuneiatfon of Treaty.
| LIE Temps adds that even before
that date France may have TO take
steps amounting to denunciation or
the treaty, especially in case Ger
many again becomes a menace on the
sea. In many columns of newspaper
comment all sorts of criticisms of
the treaties have dealt mainly with
questions of principle and prestige.
1t IL recognized generally that France
will be unable to build new battle
ships before 1886.
lie Temps dwells at length on the
alleged contradiction between the
| first and fourth articles of the treaty
regarding submarine warfare. but
! adds that all of Great Brttain's fears
regarding French submarines ana
airpianes could be allayed by the con-
clusion Of Franco British naval
and airplane pact, presumably as part
of defensive pact between the Two
countries
| POincnre Mny Convent.
II is considered probable that in
view Of this intensive newspaper
campaign Premier Poincare Will sub
nit to the apparent desire or the
public and consent to the voting OF
an interpretive article in connection
with the ratification of the Washing
,on treaties. This article would be
purely French and would involve no
additional negotiations with any OF
the other nations that have signed
the treaty.
The royalist deputy, Jean Lecour
grand maison. a former naval onicer
chairman Of the naval commission In
the chamber of deputies and reputed
TO be the leader of the opposition 70
the Washington treaties, made the
following declaration to the writer
today:
yersary of the limitation of naval
armament.
Believes Formula Bad.
Not so. am an ardent partisan
of the limitation Of naval armaments,
but believe the Washington formula
had because It took as its basis the
situation OF the French navy after a
terrible war, in which TO defend our
selves we were obliged 10 meet our
principal foe on land. Our navy was
thus greatly depleted at the end OF
the war. The Washington armament
treaty perpetuates the present In
feriority Of the French navy. regis
listers its decline and shall vote
Even with interpretative arti-
cles?"
Trying to Clarity Fourth Article.
Yes Moreover, read recently in
the English Fortnightly Review that
the Washington capital ratio must
now also be applied to other naval
pntts' such as submarines and de-
stroyers. See where this treaty leads
us. have been charged with writ
ing the report on the Washington
first article fully. AS for the fourth
article, which contradicts the first,
jurists Of the ministry Of foreign af-
fairs and have been trying to ciari-
I'VE favor the ratification OF this
particular pact, but for the moment
the discussions center about the Pa
cific pact and the naval Limitation
treaty. In my opinion 1t Is doubtful
~ they can be brought before the
chamber for ratification before June
at the earliest.
Preposes to Fight Pact
DO you think they will be
adopted?"
"I shall vote against the limitation
pact and may even speak against 1t.
other deputies will do likewise.
believe that strong opposition Will
be manifested, but, nevertheless. the
chamber will ratify the treaties. Per-
tn noG