We are heartily glad to record the ratification by the
French Chamber, on Saturday last, of the Washington Treaty limiting the numbers of capital ships in the navies of Great Britain, America, Japan, France and Italy. The step had been so long delayed as to occasion anxiety lest France should change her mind. We felt sure that M. Poineare would uphold the Treaty of 1922, but he has evidently found it difficult to convince French public and professional opinion of the wisdom of an agreement under which the total tonnage of French battleships may not exceed a third of the corresponding tonnage in the British and American navies. The action of the Chamber, which has since been confirmed by the Senate, has made an excellent impression in America as well as here, and it will help indirectly to smooth the way for diplomacy in the matter of Reparations.
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