Evening star., 1923-03-08
SLASHES IN NAV|ES
BEGUN BY: FRANCE
AND GREAT BRITAIN
New Estimates of Both Pow
ers Cut to Come Within
Washington Treaties.
FRENCH DEPUTIES PUT
= QUESTIONS ON PLANS
Some Opposition Shown to Dis
arming-No Discussion on
Britain's Budget.
Rr1,e As.1r.iated Press.

Rv the Associated Press.
PARIS, March S.-The government s
naval program was introduced in the
chamber of deputies today by Min
lister OF Marine Raiberu with the re-
mark. that the program was con-
ceived within the framework of the
washington accords. so that the gov
eminent cannot give stronger proof
nr it's intention to obtain their ratifi-
cation"
The program" continued the min
istcr, does not fix the number OF
units. as that may vary with the needs
Of the national defense, but it fixes
the tonnage for each category.
To Use Light Units.
For battleships it provides for To-
goo tons, but the preamble explains
hat the government has no intention
u constructing to that extent at pres
ent. for these reasons:
Firstly, the type of capital ship has
not been settled upon; secondly, the
feet must be in accord with our
financial means, and France has not
the means to construct a fleet OF
capital ships and fleet of light units.
We must choose and we have
CHOSEN the latter"
Thirdly" continued NJ Raiberti,
the fleet must be in keeping with
he country's policy. Frances policy
IS pacific and therefore she needs a
feet assuring the defense of the
coast and the protection of maritime
communications. We need light
cruisers. torpedo boat destroyers and
submarines. Only unforeseen circum-
al a
building hattleShips.'
Discuss Arms Pacts.
The Washington treaties and naval
questions in general. were the main
topics discussed by the chamber dur
ing debate on the proposed closing
or certain arsenalS. a deputy hay-
ing questioned the advisability of
closing q naval establishment at a
time when, he said, the existence of
the entente might be endangered.
Minister OF Marine Raiberti replied:
THE entente cannot be endangered,
as it corresponds with the permanent
interest of the two Countries
We arc not obliged to share your
optimism.' replied Deputy Locquin.
"furthermore the Washington accords
have not yet been ratified. and
nevertheless n.e are engaged in the
direction of elimination of arrna-
lontS'
The minister of maritime reiter-
ated that the government intended
the treaty should be ratified.
Retort on L. s. Action.
Deputy Locquin said the slowne SIS
of the ratification process had fur
nished arguments for Americans in
accusing France of imperialism.
'America's failure to ratify the
peace treaty was also 4 great vexa-
ton for France" interjected Deputy
Balanant
During the discussion il was stated
that France would remain within the
terms of the Washington accord in
constructing a battleship of $4,000
tons to replace the lost battleship
France.
Deputy Locquin sought to estab-
lISh that the United States Navy was
beginning to increase the tonnage OF
its small units to bring them in
proportion with the capital ships
Deputy Sevene, naval captain, point
cd out that 1t was France who de-
Inanded that the Washington agree
1nentS maintain freedom of construc-
ton as regarded the small units.
Deputy Iocquin replied that hither-
to the United States had not mani
rested any intention to increase this
tonnage. He added that he con-
sidered it premature for France to
come 10 any decision before commu-
nicating what decisions the powers
and the league of nations would take
on armament measures.