Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-03-25
BY Herbert Bayard Swope.
Copyright, 1919, by the Press Publish
ing Co
(The New York World,)
lSnerial Ca BILE DiSnatrh \

Especial Cable DiSpatch.)
Paris, March 24.-What shall be
done with the German warships? This
question is proving veXatious and diff
fcult to the council of ten, which will
impose final military and naval terms
upon Germany and which is now try
ing to formulate these terms.
Substantially all the provisions of
these features Of the treaty have been
approved with the exception of the
disposition of the Teutonic fleet and
The treatment to be accorded to the
Kiel canal and Heligoland. 1t is prob
able that the American view will pre-
vail on each of these three points, al
though there is superficial opposition,
seemingly widespread to the de-
struction Of the German naval vessels.
For the purpose of making clear the
American attitude and of placing be-
fore the public the precise reasons
that underlie our position, | am priv
ileged to present in this dispatch an
authoritative outline of an official
memorandum, at once declared it TO
he logical and reasonable, and an
nounced himself as wholly in sympa-
thy with it. 1t was drawn up by the
American and naval advisors, under
the direction of Admiral Benson,
whose work in Paris has won him the
respect alike of his American associ-
ates and of his foreign collaborators.
The plan comedies with the general
tendency toward international dsarm-
ament. In order to bring about good
understanding of the subject, of TO-
cusing public attention on its impor-
tance, | am permitted to lay before
readers of the Journal the arguments
in the matter in virtually the form
that they have been laid before the
supreme council.
Before proceeding, it is proper to
say that America will not share in any
distribution of the German vessels. 1t
is important to keep this fact in mind
in reaching conclusions on the subject
which, according to the American
analysis, resolves itself as follows:
The German war fleet to he sur
rendered to the allies and America
consists of twenty-eight battleships,
inclusive of three Austrian ships; six
battle cruisers, fifteen light cruisers,
of which nine are Austrian; 10l de-
stroyers, of which nine are Austrian,
and 1876 submarines, of which five are
Austrian.
Two Methods Proposed.
Two methods of disposing of the
fleet are under consideration by the
conference, the first being the destruc-
ton, and the second the distribution
among the various allied powers Ar
guments have been submitted for each
course, those favoring destruction be-
ing as follows
The first covenant of the league of
nations, article VIII, says: THE high
contracting parties recognize the prin-
ciple that the maintenance of peace
peace will require the reduction of ma
tional armaments to the lowest point
consistent with national safety
Destruction of the German and
Austrian war vessels would furnish
practical demonstration to the world
of the sincerity of the high contract
ing parties in their determination to
reduce armaments Distribution of the
surrendered fleets would increase the
strength of the naval armament of
the great powers about 80 per cent.
Great Britain, the United States, ia
pan. France and italy have now eigh-
ty-five dreadnoughts and battle cruis-
ers. The German and Austrian dread
noughts and battle cruisers number
twenty seven.
Would Kill Rivalry.
The second point advanced is that the