Evening star., 1923-07-08
TREATY APPROVAL
IS ACCLAIMED HERE
French Action on Five-PoWer
Pact Cheers U. S. Officials,
Who Feared Delay.
BY the Associated Press.

by Inc ASSOClhteu trebs
Word that the French chamber OF
deputies had ratified the naval limita-
ton treaty was received here as one
Of the most encouraging pieces or
news that has reached Washington
from abroad in many day.
For many reasons. not all of which
have been apparent on the surface or
events, favorable action by France
had been awaited with unusual con-
Germ. Although the French senate
still must give its assent before the
circle of ratifying powers is COM
plete, there appears to be little ap-
prehension among American officials
of serious opposition or delay in that
quarter.
Foremost among the causes for
qualification here Is that French ac-
ceptance of the treaty will put the
capsheaf on the most portentous
diplomatic undertaking Of the Hard
ing administration by actually CIV
ing vitality to the Washington con-
ference plan to end competitive
building of first line ships of war.
All the other signatory nations
Great Britain. Japan Italy and the
United States-already have ratified
and are awaiting only the pledge of
France to put the Washington pro-
gram into effect.
Relief Felt Here.
Beyond this there is a measurable
degree of relief among practical navy
men at the prospect that the un-
certainty which has surrounded
American naval policy for more than
q year soon may be cleared away. and
the expense Of keeping in n state OF
suspended animation naval units
destined to be scrapped may be
erased from the balance sheet. A
comprehensive plan for putting the
new program into effect, including
details of scrapping the discarded
vessels, has been on file in the Navy
Department for months awaiting the
word of execution.
Sets Rumors at Rest.
Still another element contributing
to the favorable reaction aroused
here by the French move-and an
element of which officials will say
little-lies in the unusual state of
world diplomacy. During the past
few months it has been an open secret
in diplomatic circles. at least. that
the delay of France was looked upon
as a possible factor in the general
policy she has followed in her deal.
ings with her allies. Again and again
French statesmen have denied that
failure to ratify the treaty had any
connection with the French effort to
bring Great Britain TO her way of
thinking about the Ruhr, but the
denials have not served to entirely
set at rest speculation on the part
Of diplomatic representatives Of the
. other powers.
1t is certain that during the long
wait for French approval Of the
Washington agreement the other
signatories found means to let their
disappointment become we'll. under
stood at Paris. In some quarters it
was suggested that broad hint as
10 the attitude OF Japan was con-
veyed to the French capital less than
a week ago by a story emanating
from Toxic, to the eSfects that the
Japanese government expe4ed to ap-
proach the United States and Great
Britain on the subject of reducing
the ve-power treaty to a three
power basis 1t IS assumed here that
any such plan now will disappear IL
the action Of the French chamber
really reflects a purpose to complete
French ratification.
Fearful of Hitch.
There are some officials who are
not entirely confident that the French
senate will take the requisite action
and who still are fearful Of a hitch.
In most quarters, however, the view
here is one of confidence that the
highest peak in the pathway of the
treaty has been passed.
. Ceremony Here.
On this assumption officials fore
see a possibility that the final cere-
mony putting the naval limitation
program into effect may be held here
before fall. Washington is the place
designated in the treaty for the de-
posit Of ratifications." and as soon
as French approval is complete Sec
Ietary Hughes will be notified and
will fix a date for the ceremony. 1t
Is assumed that the regular diplo-
matte representatives of the powers
will be designated to act for their
. governments, but in each case they
will have to be provided with special
authority, usually supplied in writ
ing. \ month or so, it is calculated,
may be required in supplying these
credentials to Washington. delaying
by that period the date of the actual
effectiveness of the treaty.
The Navy Department program.
which would become the policy of
The government in naval matters the
moment the treaty comes into force,
detail after long study by naval eN-
perts, but has been given formal ap
proval by Secretary DENLY. 1t was
prepared in May, 1922, by a board
of which Rear Admiral David w.
Taylor. chief constructor OF the Navy,
was chairman. .,t.-
Already Carried Out.
To some small extent the recon-
mendarions Of the board already have
been carried out, but only in cases OF
ships which would hive been elimi-
rated from the active list regardless
of the outcome Of the Washington
conference Two obsolete battleships
have since been sold to contractors
who are breaking them up for salv-
age of old metal, four have been dis
luantled and being offered for sale
for similar disposition, and the old
Iowa was used as a target for the
Niississippfs new fourteen-inch bat
faIieS