The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-07-19
FRENCH SENATORS
RATIFY TMOPACTS
Washington Pacific Treaty Un-
opposed, While Naval Limita-
ton Passes 297 to 3.
SEEK FRIENDSHIP or U. S.
ReynaId Makes an Appeal to Reassurs
America of Peaceful Aims-Speak-
ers Say Nation Could Not At
ford More Capital Ships.

Paris.-The French Senate ratified
the Washington naval limitation treaty
by a vote Of 297 to 8, without the
threatened reservations being made
a part of the ratification bill. Half an
hour later the Senate. by a show OF
hands, voted unanimously for ratih-
cation Of the Pacific Four Power pact.
All that now remains to make them
effective is the usual formality OF pub
LEGATION.
Thus eighteen months elaboration
ended in a remarkable demonstration
of French intentions to collaborate in
the work for peace, full credit for
which admittedly is due President
Harding; but only after Senator Rey-
Maid had told his colleagues that the
accord is considered in America the
touchstone of Frances pacific senti-
ments, and to ratify it will reassure
American opinion and reinforce the
precious friendship with the United
States"
One point stressed by Minister Of
Marine Roberti and several other
speakers was that 1t was not possible,
financially, for France to construct
more capital ships allowed her by the
limitation treaty during the time it
will be in force.
Premier Poincare reminded the
Senators that the limitation treaty
only dealt with capital ships and not
with smaller vessels and submarines.
Several Senators expressed dissat-
isfaction with the percentage of capt.
tai ships allotted France. Senator
Lemory saying; The Washington ac-
cord is merely to make certain the Inn
poverishment of our fleet. England
keeps the mastery of the world where
she has naval bases while the United
States has the new world and a large
part IF the Pacific. Japan shares with
the two Powers mastery of the worlds
waters"
He recalled that France, under its
allotment of airplane carriers. would
be able to construct one carrier Of
33, 900 tons and another Of $4,000, and
said the United States, England and
Japan were allowed, respectively, 1885,
900 tons, $4,000 tons and $1,000 tons,
while France and Italy were restrict
ed to $4,000 tons each. But Minister
of Marine Roberti said that the
French carrier Bearn was considered
experimental, and that ships under
10000 tons could not be classed as
airpIane carriers. In any event, he
said, it would be impossible for
France to construct, before the expira-
ton Of the present treaty. more than
the 10000 IONS allotted.
""The allotted proportions apply only
to capital ships" Mr.. Roberti said,
moi to the entire fleet. Otherwise
we would not have signed the treaty.
1.-THE triumvirate of the great Pow
ers discussed above all the supreme
cy OF the seas. France has never sup
ported a theory other than for liberty
Of the seas. and she now wants to
show her former allies a new express
sion OF fraternal confidence. We must
reconstitute our marine, but this ef-
fort must be proportionate to u
financial capabilities"
Much Satisfaction in England
London.-Much satisfaction was ex-
pressed during the parliamentary de-
bate at Frances ratification of the
Washington treaty.
The House of Lords was told that
the Government thinks it in%opportune
now to initiate an international con-
ference on air limitation.
The House was debating the motion
introduced by Lord Gorell tt have
Britain join with America for such a
conference.
The Marquis of Salisbury, lord
president of the Council. said that the
Prime Minister had already set forth
the Governments desire to cooperate
with other nations to limit air arma-
ments, but while the situation in Eu-
rope was so strained any steps would
- -wI-11V. aE.,s41onn