Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-12-14
ADJUSTING NAVY
REDUCTION PLAN
THAT ANcLo-JAPANEsE TREATY
SHALL BE ADVOCATED NOW
TAKEN FOR GRANTED.
TAClTLY ASSUMED BY HUGHES
Questions Of Shpyard Labor and
the Large Scale Building Of Sub
marines Are OF Especial interest
TO Great Britain.
BY EDWARD q. CLARK

BY EDWARD 3. CLARK
Washing on.-lf the existing ALL
ance between the British and the
japanese were TO continue In effect
after the American secretary Of states
navy proposition has been accepted,
two alien countries would be as one
country dominating the United States
In the event of possible war. Naval
disarmament and the continuation of
the Bftish-Japanese treaty are de-
clared here TO be Inconsistent one with
the other.
The United States would not have
made its partial disarmament PROPOSE
ton II IL had not believed In advance
that the treaty between the two other
countries was TO be abrogated. The
British and the japanese probably win
find way TO drop their alliance and
TO do the dropping placldly.
In articles by the writer hereof.
which have been printed from time TO
time. the statement has been made
that the BritIsh-Japanese treaty was
doomed. and | believe that had all
sufficient authority for the prediction.
In fact, for once IN "A lifetime, there
was a willingness to go on record as
a prophet with no fear In abiding the
issue.
Government authorities In Washing
ton seemingly hope today that the
country win not jump 10 the conclu-
sion that, because certain exceptions
are taken TO the Hughes navy program
by Great Britain and Japan, opposi-
ton is meant. There are certain
natural objections, economic oblec-
tlons largely. 10 few Of the pro-
visions IN the American program.
These will be pointed out and argu-
ments for a few changes will be adj
vanced. but the program virtually In
its entirety viii be carried through
90 accomplishment.
Labor Problem viii BE Solved.
IL is easy enough 10 understand
why countries with great warshlp
building yards should try 10 find some
means OF letting their workmen
"down easy" A ten-years' naval holl-
day Will mean the scattering of
trained warshlp builders into fields
of other occupations. Certain replace
ments OF ships are allowed under the
proposal. Great Britain Is trying TO
find a way 20 obviate the necessity of
increasing the difficulties of her pres
mt unemployment situation. prop
err way. one which will not add to the
dangers OF the peace OF the world,
probably win be found.
The British conference ehleftain.
Arthur J. Balfour. has announced that
Great Britain accepts tire American
proposal In principle. japan already
also virtually has done this. There
will be discussions aud some eX-
changes which look like heated .argu-
ments. but the goal of naval disarma-
ment sought by the United States will
be- reached. II Is believed today that
soon the whole matter as II pertains
60 the navies of the three nations
chiefly concerned, will be cleared up.
Interest then will center largely on
matters pertaining to the restrictions
20 be placed on new weapons OF var
fare. Poison gas Is first I'm the list
of interest as It Is In the field of eff
cheney. The arguments over this
matter win he warm. II Is predicted
that no restrictions will be placed on
experimentation In the chemical field.
but that some agreement viii be
reached by which poison gas will be
taboo In war. but this will mean that
the taboo Is on only II some other ma
ton In wartime does not break it's
word.
Great Britain and Submarines.
Naturally enough Great Britain OBJ
jects 10 n continuation Of the building
Of submarines on large scale. The
United States in its proposition did
less I'm the way of cutting I'm the SUBJ
marine paragraph of the program
than I'm any other of the Photographed
propositions. Great Britain has "a ire
mendous ocean-carrying trade and II
does not believe, therefore. in allowing
other countries. If 1t can be prevented.
10 build great offensive submarines
which can destroy that trade
The American navy officials recog-
nized the validity of the British posi-
tIon from the British point OF view,
but seemingly they think that domino
tion I'm one branch of the sea service
f. necessary 10 this country. This
matter stiIl Is to be thrashed out.
The chances are that a compromise
viii be reached.
Before the conference Is over II Is
probable that the planting of mines
M sea I'm time Of war VIII be given
consideration. There always have
been regulations which were supposed
10 govern the creating Of mine fields
and the prevention of mine sowing I'm
the paths Of ordinary commerce.
These regulations were broken during
the great war. Some attempt VIII be
rlade 10 establish rules that will have