THE NAVAL TREATY.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1922, Page 3

THE NAVAL TREATY.

THE CONTEXTS Tl [KRKOF. fr _ Is a slli.u.lAN AN n N.Z. r.U I.E ABSOI lATI'"* 11 washing on, ih-b. i. et The draft of the treaty for the limita- th ioil of naval armaments was submitted * K o the Plenary Session of the oni'er-

Tini LONTKXTK 'i'HKU ! ’l 'SIIi.W.iAN AND N. 55. CA|:|,fe A8SO( 1 WASHIXOOX, Feb. 1. G Tlie draft of the treaty for the limita- 1 )Ti of naval armaments was submitted the Plenarv Session of tin. •r.'nfer.

cnce. it contains the followin'* preamble:—ln explanation of the purposes of tlm Five contracting; Govbi nmetit.s, desiring to contribute to the maintenance of general peace, and to reduce the burdens of competition in armament, they have resolved with a view to accomplishing these purposes to conclude a treaty to limit respective naval armaments and to that end have appointed as plenipotentiaries there the names of the delegates follow). The Treaty is divided into three chapters. The first contains the agreement in 20 separate articles, the second and third contain details of the specific naval agreements, many in complicated tabular form, amplfying the complete meaning of the general agreements. Chapter one is headed “General provisions relating to the limitation of naval

uiiiiiieiiLK. .-wucie one morounuer is merely an agreement to limit naval armament undtr the Treaty. Article two provides respectively the capital ships the Powers may retain as follows:—United Stales (.Maryland, California, Tennessee, Idaho, New Mexico, Mississippi, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Oklobama, Nevada, New York, Texas, Arkanas, Wyoming, Florida, Utah, North Dakota, Delaware) a total tonnage of 500,650. Britain—(Royal Sovereign, Royal Oak, Revenge, Resolution, ilamillies, Malaya, Valiant, Barham, Queen Elizabeth, Wnr.spite, Benbow, Emperor of India, Iron Duke, Marlborough, Hood, Renown, Repulse, Tiger, Thunderer, George V, Ajax, Centurion). A total tonnage of 580,450. Article Five fixes thirty-five thousand tons as the maximum for any capital ship. Article Six provided that no ship shall carry a gun exceeding sixteen inches. Article Seven fixes the total tonnage of aircraft carriers as follows:—United States and Great Britain each 135,000; France and Italv, each 60,000; Japan 61,000. The following four articles deal with replacement of aircraft carriers, their armaments, etc. Article Twelve provides that no vessels shall hereafter laid down, except capital ships, shall carry guns in excess of eight inches. Article Thirteen provides that vessel scrapable limy be reconstructed into a warship. Article Fourteen provides that no preparation shall be made on mediantmen in peace time, for the purpose of converting such ship into a war vessel, other than stiffening the decks Tor mounting guns not exceeding 6 inches. The next four articles deal with various rules regarding building by any contracting Powers for other Powers, whilst article Nineteen concerns the fortification of Pacific islands, naval bases, and the maintenance of the status quo at the time of the signing of the Treaty.