The New York herald., 1921-11-15
BALF0UR TOSUGCEST
DEVIATlONS TO KEEP
SHIPbU|LDING ALIVE
BritOns Hope He Will Make
1t Clear They Are Strong
for American Plan.
FOR BIG SUBMARINE CUTS
Experts Puzzled by Reversal
Of Old Custom Which Made
Arms Fit Policies.
FOR BIG SUBMARINE CUTS


| New York Herald Bureau.
| Washington, ID. C., Nov. II.
| All eyes and ears will be turned in
the direction of Arthur j. Balfour to-
morrow when, as head of the British
delegation to the conference, he will
deliver Great Britain's reply to Sec
! retary Hughes's opening day pro.
nouncement. While the Britons have
faith in the eloquence Of Mr.. Balfour,
and while in their hearts they are
absolutely in accord with the princi-
pies of naval reduction as laid down
by Secretary Hughes, they are none
the less a bit apprehensive that Mr..
Balfour's reply may not quite come
up to the expectations of the Ameri-
can people.
Careful students of public opinion
as they are, and situated in an alien
country, they have been making the
most minute examinations Of the re-
action to the Hughes speech. The
inevitable result of their study has
been the realization that almost as
q unit the American people are in
absolute accord with Mr.. Hughes and
expectancy that Great Britain will
meet America half way in the matter
of limitation OF naval armament.
Veteran Britons Anxious.
But and here is where the tinge of
anxiety comes into the British calcu-
lations--as veteran dealers in interna-
tional affairs, as colonizers of tradi-
tional experience and as controllers OF
widely separated territories. they feel
that they are more accustomed than
Americans 10 take into consideration
the practical effect Of national policy.
Hence while in private as well as pub
lie they do agree profoundly with the
spirit Of Mr.. Hughess programme and
also with the principles he has laid
down, they feel that they cannot COM
init themselves unreservedly to the
American programme until by careful
examination of it's probable effects
they know at least approximately
where it is going to land them.
Because of this the fear that per-
haps If Mr.. Balfour in announcing
his acceptance of the Hughes princi-
pies begins qualifying the acceptance
with counter suggestions. which he
unquestionably will do. the American
public, raised to the heights of the
altruistic and from the American
viewpoint practical suggestion Of Mr..
Hughes, will be disappointed in the
Balfour speech and conclude that the
British are not as wholehearted as all
of their private and public statements
have indicated.
Need Time TO study Costs.
For instance. it was pointed out to
TIE New YORK HERALD correspondent,
tonight by one OF the British representa-
tives that the American delegates evi-
IDENTIFY had made a most careful study OF
the programme as set forth by Mr.
Hughes, and Of necessity must know C
the cent how much II IS going to cos
America and exactly what IL will near
to her future foreign policy.
The Britons, on the other hand, hav,
been taught from infancy. as have Other
European government officials. that mill
tary and naval garments should be cu
to suit policy cloth. In other words
policies are first determined upon by the
foreign offices and Parliaments. Ther
the military and naval authorities arr
called on to say what armed strength
will be necessary to back those policie.
up.
The American delegation has reversed
this order with the result that the Brit
ish are suddenly called on not only e
figure out the problem as II actually af
fects their navy. but also to do tn,
whole problem backward. This, the,
say frankly. takes time.
SO tomorrow Mr.. Balfour Ia expected
20 make r twenty minute speech. II
, which he will advocate making evei
deeper cuts in the submarine strength
Of the navies than Mr.. Hughes asked foi
} and also will advocate some changes II
! the scheme Of replacement OF tonnag,
that will keep the shipyards alive.
: Submarine Item Not serious.
The submarine question Is not con
sldered 2 serious one. Great Britain
cano ont OF the war with less thar
10000 tons. which Is the anproxirnat,
amount she would bc entitled TO unde'
the Hughes plan. The British are no
cnemorcd OF submarines anyhow.
! The replacement question. however. /,
eerious 10 the British from two angles
First. az they point out 70 put the ship
yards in storage for ten years voult
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