The New York herald., 1921-11-19
Decision to Cease Building
Capital Ships Publicly
Approved.
TT WILL SAVE f50.OOO,OOO
Vice-Admiral Ballard Saws
Disappearance Of Capital
Ship Is Forecast.

Spscioi cable 70 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copmiott, 1921, bD TnE NEW YoRK HKnAtp D.
New York Herald Bureau,
London. Nov. Is.
Announcement by the Admiralty
to-day of a cessation of work on four
super Hood warships, which en-
bodied results of experiences at Jut-
land. pending the decision of the
Washington conference with building
to be resumed If the American pro-
posals are not adopted, was the point
of interest i'm which British naval
circles centred to-day.
Works on the Clyde and the Tyne
are hard hit by the Admiralty deci-
sion, especially the former, where
three super-Hoods were to have been
fifty million pounds sterling, but Is
causing much immediate unemploy-
ment. The four super Hoods were to
have cost about $4O.000.0O0 each.
100000.
The British action. which is called
translating ideals into actuslities, is
widely approved here. However, a
reaction was provided by the decision
of the Beardmores, a famous arma-
ment firm in Parkhead. giving notice
Of a close down of their works, which
only a few days ago were started after
long idleness. This does not shut
down any Government navy yards.
which will be engaged in minor main
tenance work. Naval opinion here is
unanimous that they should he kept
up during any naval building holiday.
Regarding a cessation OF work on the
super-Hoods contracts for which were
awarded only a few weeks ago. Admiral
sir Percy Scott said
THE step had to be taken, and the
sooner 1t was done the better. Every
day that money would have been spent
on these ships would be so much waste.
The way to peace Is not to make a coun-
try so strong In offensive power that it
can attack but so strong IN defensive
potentinlty that II cannot be attacked"
w. T.. Kitchens, chairman OF Cammell.
Laird & Co, Ltd. armor plate makers.
said 1T was a natural thing to do. IL
Is not wise TO go on spending money
when the outlook is favorable for the
armament proposals. OF course | agree
that IL H. not very agreeable step from
the point of view Of the armament firms.
Unemployment must be seriously consid-
ered but there is no justification for em-
ploying men on useless work. | think
the Government should keep the plants
in reserve"
Vice-Admiral Mark Kerr said The
decision was the logical outcome OF what
is occurring In Washington. II Is not
good to spend money for new ships if the
whole works are to be scrapped."
Commander Carlyon Bellairs said
'ln view of what is tentatively decided
on I'm Washington the step Is perfectly
JUSTIFIED. There IL an important psy-
Geological effect IN a generous gesture
at the present moment, when II ls Inn
portant that each nation should show
good faith"
Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge (retired)
said: The news is the most promising
and cheering that we have heard In
long time. II looks az IL II foreshadows
the Anal defeat OF tho megalomaniacs
and the dictatorship Of n material age.
II is the only decent thing TO do, con-
siderlng the readiness Of the United
states to abandon her 1915 programme"
LONDON. Nov. is ASSOCIATED Press) -
vice-Admiral Ballard, IN an article pub
llshed by the FUepiro NcUs. estimates
the stopping OF construction OF the super
Continued on Page Two.
THE WANDERING; JEW. Mat. 2i5 To-day
soc TO s2.o0 Knickerbocker Theatre.-Adv.