STRONG FRENCH OPPOSITION

Shannon News, 27 March 1923, Page 4

STRONG FRENCH OPPOSITION

TO WASHINGTON TREATY. ''WHY SHOULD WE NOT BUILD SUBMARINES?" PARIS PRESS 'CAMPAIGN. (Received Monday, 9.1.0 p.m.) LONDON, March 26.' The "Morning Post's" Paris correspondent says the Washington agreement is not popular in France. The average Frenchman does not see why his country should .sign :i document limiting naval construction without a return.

"Le Temps" points out that the United States gives France no guarantee for the immunity of her island possessions in the Pacific, and many Frenchmen do not see why they should not build submarines.

"Le Matin" recalls that 175 German submarines held the most colossal naval combination of the world in check, and 175 submarines cost the same as six battleships of the latest type. The general idea is to add a clause pointing- out that France is not held by the convention after 11(3.6, otherwise it will be assumed that France has assented to the permanent limitation of her fleet. AMERICA SETS THE EXAMPLE, SPIRIT OF TREATY UPHELD. (Received Monday, 7 p.m.) NEW YORK. March 25. The "New York Times" Washington correspondent says an impression prevails that Mr Hughes, who is now -studying the technical clauses of the ' naval treaty, will decide that the proposed elevations ol: the guns in the American capital ships provided for in Mr Denby's request for appropriation for naval improvements are violations of the spirit if not the letter of the Treaty. It is understood that his conclusions will be communicated to President Harding, who is expected to order the Navy Department to abandon its plans and expenditure of 6,500,000 dollars which congress appropriated for that purpose. Mr Hughes has been greatly disturbed by revelation in cables that Britain had not been altering capital ships, and that the United States Naval Department was misinformed in that particular. He feels that if the United ■ States made naval changes it would lead to similar activities on the part of the other PoAvers, thus resulting in naval competition and the nega. tion of the purpose of the Washington Treaty. Members of the Naval Affairs Committees of the Hou/;e and Senate express the same views. AUSTRALIAN NAVAL ACTIVITY. NEW GUMS AND SEAPLANE BASE. (Received Monday,, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY. March 26. The Herald" states that it is probable this year when, the Naval Estimates are considered that efforts will be made to reinstate the j submarine flotilla which, when the ! present estimates were framed, was placed in the reserve in its place in the Australian Navy. It is proposed to replace the seaplane base at Rushcutters Bay. It is also proposed to-* replace many guns guarding the harbours, the present pieces being regarded as obsolete.