Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-14


With further time for study by in
terested officials of all nations, the
American plan began to stand out in
its true proportions. Apparently, it is
far more than a 1O-year naval holiday
date heavy reduction of the fleets of
the three powers Beyond that is a
third equally blunt and direct sugges-
ton for continuing agreement to limit
the size of battle fleets permanently.
That is what Mr.. Hughes naval re-
placement plan really amounts to.
No Selfish Motives
In naming the ships to which each
main fleet would be cut. if the Amer
ican plan for immediate reduction was
accepted, Secretary Hughes statement
shows that Great Britain and the Unit
ed States would be on an exact equality
in the number of battleships, but the
British would retain in addition four
battle cruisers, while the United States
would be content with battleships alone.
This may prove more significant as
the discussions proceed, some naval
officers believe. 1t appears probable
that in proposing to agree that both of
the island powers should be provided
in equal numbers with these newest
additions to the main fleets of nations.
while the United States made no at
tempt, for 10 years at least. to equip
the American fleet similarly, the Amer
ican delegation to the conference sought
to convey very definite assurance
that America, as President Harding
told the conference came to the dis
cusson with no selfish purpose to-
serve.
REIMBURSEMENT by the United States
Of any battle cruiser element in her
fleet. some officers said, at once indi
Gated clearly that the navy was not
being maintained with the deliberate
idea that it might some day become
advisable to raid the sea commerce of
the two insular powers. or either of
them. Battle cruisers would be in
valuable; perhaps vital to the success
full prosecution of naval war across
the Pacific. it was said.
Gives Islands Protection
In the proposal that the other two
powers retain. battle cruiser squadrons
also. these observers saw possible
expression of American recog-
nition of the necessities in naval forces
of those countries; of American will
ingness that they should prosecute
legitimate ventures over the world re-
1uiring far flung merchant routes. and
employ for protection, of those routes
naval craft they thought best suited to
the need As continental power. al
though asserting in this proposal the
right to an equal footing with any ma
lion on the seas. the United States
might not necessarily need battle
cruisers as the other powers feel they
DO. it was said.
At any rate, the American proposal
has made flat proposition in regard
10 battle cruisers. which it was thought
might be very difficult of treatment
at the conference. 1t remains to be |
seen what Japan and Great Britain
think bout it, but long step toward |
agreement on that question has been
taken. naval men believe.
The actual business of negotiation |
If the conference will get under way !
Monday, when the heads OF delegations I
will meet to discuss procedure. sub |
ect likely to develop into one of the I
most important of the whole confer I
,nce. From every one of the interest |
ID powers have come expressions en- |
that the order in which the /
.opics appear on the program would
rave significant bearing on the abil |
oward practical results. /
Clear Up Preliminaries
To agree on the preliminary details, /
wo meetings will be held. In the morn |
ng the committee on program and pro-
eedure for limitation of ornaments. of |
vhich the heads Of the American, Brit T
sh, French. Italian and Japanese
are members, viii assemble |
0 consider the armament end of the !
,rogram and in the afternoon there |
viii be a meeting of the committee on
rogram and procedure for far east |
rn questions, consisting Of the heads
f the delegations of all nine of the ma
ions holding seats in the conference.
During the afternoon the American
dvisory committee of II also will meet
nd Chairman Sutherland will announce
he personnel Of the six sub commit
ees. whose creation has been author
zed to facilitate the handling of special
ubieets.
While these meetings are being held.
ectnical advisers of the various dele
ations will further study the Amer
,an proposal under which tonnage fig
res in capital ships for the three
ff,0ntfnned On Fawe Nine,)