Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-02

Paris. April 1-(By A. P.)-Francc
is spending 51,000,0O0 francs in mod
ernizing her six capital ships under
the governments Interpretation Of
| the Washington naval accords. At
the request of the Associated Press,
the minister of marine, Flaminius
Raiberti. today explained what is be-
ing done.
You ask me two questions" he
said, zone relative to the changes in
old ships and the other about ratifi-
cation of the Washington naval
treaties,
THE first subject is dealt with in
the first paragraph of section one of
the third part of the Washington
treaty upon the limitation Of naval
ornaments. This paragraph author
ICES the contracting powers to in
creas ethe defensive power Of their
ships against submarine and aerial
attacks by additional lateral ,caissons
and protecting bridges, provided the
tonnage is not increased more than
5000 tons.
"As to artillery. the treaty forbids
any change in the number, calibre
and general type of mounting of the
units of principal armament. How
ever. recognizing the special situa-
ton of France, which possesses only
old units-as she ceased to construct
since the war-she is authorized, as
is Italy to increase the calibre of the
guns of her battleships, provided the
| calibre does not exceed sixteen
inches.
France has conformed strictly to
these provisions. even before .ratify-
ing the treaty. The only modification
of her armament she contemplates is
that which consists in increasing the
angle of elevation of the guns on all
her battleships, thereby increasing
their range, and to modernize firing
methods. .
Il come to the second question.
The government has asked Parlia-
ment to ratify the Washington ac-
cord. If ratification of these treaties
has. not yet been effected despite the
governments efforts, the reasons
| therefor can be found in the develop
ment of the budget debate, which has
occupied the greatest part Of the
| Chambers time. =.
1.-The French delegates to the League
of Nations have been instructed by the
government to support the plan to ex-
tend the Washington naval accords to
the nonsignatory powers
but The most certain proof we have
given of our intention to ratify the
| Washington treaty was the filing Of
the bill for Frances naval program in
the Chamber on March s.
THE preamble of this bill takes care
to set out that, unless absolutely COM
PEELED by circumstances. we do not in
tend to avail ourselves of the freedom
to begin replacement of our battle fleet
in 1927.
France has gone as far as she can
in the limitation of her naval power.
She could not go further without CIV
ing up having a navy, and she could
not give up having navy without con-
demning herself to die, for France is
no longer the little bit of Europe made
ilustrious by the glory of many CEN
turtles and whose soil was recently
sanctificd by the sacrifice of so many
American soldiers who fell by the side
of ours for the worlds liberty.
Beyond the seas there has been
born a new France. This new France
co. an immense stretch of territory
in Asia and Africa and it testifies to
the peaceful civilizing genius of the
France which made nation of 10000
600 people and accomplished one OF the
best efforts OF man."
The minister here spoke OF the
French colonies. and the necessity or
maintaining uninterrupted communica-
ton with them.
But France. to show her pacific sem
timcnts. wishes to have only such
navy as is strictly needed; that is why
she has shown such great moderation
in her naval program: and it is also
why she is getting readyfto ratify the
Washington accords and associate her
self with the great work of the Ameri-
can government and statesmen"