Arizona republican., 1919-03-16
Conclusions Important

WASHINGTON, March 15.-lmport ant concusions which probably will h reflected later at Paris. in discussion of limitation of national armaments are expected here to grow out of tn forthcoming conferences between Sec retary Daniels and his aides and Euro bean admiralty officials The secre tary sailed today, accompanied by hi three chief technical advisors.
 While the main object of the trip the American officers is 10 gather in. forma ton on which the navy depart ment can base report to congres. relative to the proposal to substitute gigantic composite cruiser battleship. for present day capital was vessels the fact that such a program woulS render all existing fleets obsolete, an, that it's cost would be enormous. CT sure, in the view of many official here, that the project will be taken uE at the peace conference.
 In the view here, even the America 35-knot battle cruiser project, now helC to await a decision on the greatel question of composite ships, has in clements that may become more than purely national matter under presen' conditions. Officers say that if com petititve naval building is to continue other powers must provide similar ships, as not even Great Britain has built or is building craft of equal eff ficiency in their own particular sphere It is understood that progress towards the construction of the gigantic battlt cruisers. six of which already have been authorized is watched with some concern by British naval authorities since it has appeared likely that they will necessitate additions to the Brit ish naval budSet.
 Britain Is interested
 There is little doubt among most of ficials here that Great Britain would welcome mutual understanding a Paris that would eliminate that sort t>o' expenditure.
 The standard fighting ship of today is the superdreadnaugh in the Ameri- can and British navies, a vessel of . speed of Approximately 2S knots, al armament of twelve 16-inch guns. ar armor belt varying from F to IA inches in thickness, and a displacement Q about 35,000 tons. Such d ship cost. about $20, 900. The United State. has ten of them under construction. ol authorized, and the naval appropriation | bill, which failed in the final hours O the last congress, authorized ten mort for the next three years
 The proposed ship now urged b. some American officers would have l speed of % knots. carry twelve 16-incl guns. an armor belt of from F to 1 inches. displace about 55.000 tons an, cost S40,000,000. It would carry tn same offensive and defensive power a the superdreadnaughts and would mak six knots greater speed. The price o this increased speed. officers declare would be doubled cost of constructio and almost double size, the latter car rying with it far reaching engineerin changes in harbors, navy yards an drydocks toa accommodate such mon ster craft. No such vessels have bee built or projected by any other powe so far as known.
 - Involves Big Questions
 "The composite" battleship. for whic ' Admiral Mayo, commander in chief ( the Atlantic fleet, Vice Admiral Sim commanding abroad, and many otht
 high officers who have served oversee ' have contended, is supposed to reprt , sent the maximum obtainable in spec , without the sacrifice of gun power
 armor.
 Among naval men it generally is cor , ceded that there is no question as
 the relative fighting value of the exis ing and proposed types. Having si knots greater speed, the composi'
 craft would have a tremendous aC
 vantage, but it is contended that eve
 with all mechanical and economic cue:
 tions answered in the affirmative, u
 strategic and tactical value of the si
 knots increase in speed must be dt . -ermined by consensus of profession;
 naval opinion before so radical a dc
 parture in design could be embarke
 upon. Officers insist they must projet
 their minds to future battles to sa
 whether the additional speed is wort what it would cost.
 The alternative officers say, it is th present program to which the gener,
 board of the navy clings-superdread (Cotinued on Page Fourteen)