Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-12-16

While the principles of the original
American proposal were not impaired
by the triangular agreement, the set
tlement contemplates the following
changes in fleets to be retained:
Great Britain, 20 ships instead
Of %, with an aggregate Of $751;
O50 tons instead of 604,45 tons.
United States, IS ships, as orig
inally proposed, but with an ag-
gregate of $4,000 tons instead of
: 50O65O tons.
Japan, 10 ships, as originally
proposed, but with an aggregate
of $4,000 tons instead Of 299 100
tons.
At the end Of the 1o-year build,
ing holiday. the fleets will stand
follows:
Great Britain. 525,OOO tons;
United States, $4,000 tons, and
japan, 315,0OO tons.
In announcing the three power
following official explanation was
made:
"This arrangement between the
United States, Great Britain and Japan
is, SO far as the number of ships to
be retained and scrapped is concerned.
dependent upon a suitable agreement
with France and Italy as to their cap
ital ships"
All are Silent
Strict silence was maintained by all
members of the committee of 10 as to
what transpired after the announce
ment had been received, an official
statement saying merely that negotia-
tions for the five-power agreement
and treaty were proceeding. The
French group is understood, however,
to have begun presentation of Frances
desire for a capital ship tonnage equal
to that of Japan in the revised fig
ures. This presentation was not con-
cluded and will continue when the COM
mittee reassembles Friday.
In refusing comment as to the COM
mittee proceedings, spokesman for
one group said that discipline of the
state department" must be observed.
There were limitations in both French
and italian circles that a long dis
cussion might be necessary before a
complete five-power understanding
could emerge for action by the con-
ference itself.
East Progress Slow
While events as to the naval ratio
agreement were moving swiftly, nego-
tiations for far eastern settlements
were at standstill except for the
separate Chinese-Japanese discussion
of Shantung. A settlement between
the two groups is not yet in sight
and no date has been set for resump-
ton of other far eastern conversa-
tons. In consolidating the "status
quo" agreement as to Notifications
into the projected naval limitations
treaty, separate consideration of that
matter has been avoided with re-
sultant saving of time.
The revised three power naval
agreement, In addition to overcoming
the most difficult stumbling block in
the pathway of the conference.-the
relative strength of the American and
japanese fleets-has saved three hugh
new superdreadnaughts from the scrap
heap They are the japanese Mutsu,
and the American Colorado and Wash
;ngton. ships of the same "post-Jut-
land' design, embodying lessons of the
world war.
Provision also is made for two new
British ..post-Jutland' ships to be
laid at once and does not otherwise
modify the 1O-year holiday in naval
building.
In place of the Mutsu, Japan will
scrap the old dreadnaught Setsu. and
will do no capital ship building there
after for 10 years. In place of the
Colorado and Washington, the United
States will scrap the North Dakota and
the Delaware when the two new ships
are finished few months hence
When Great Britain completes her
two new $4,000 tonners. about three
years hence, she will send to the scrap
heap four old dreadnaughts that play
ed a part in the great war.
Change Ship Limit
One other change in the original
America1 proposal is made under the
revised plan. The maximum tonnage
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