New-York tribune., 1921-11-14

The document of twelve pages, which
was issued after the conference, was
perhaps still more impressive than the
statement delivered during the confer
ence by Mr.. Hughes. There in these
twelve pages England was told exactly
what capital ships she could keep and
what were the names of the ships. So
was told Japan. Every item was dis
cusseds and elucidated-t the item of the
auxiliary surface combatant craft, the
item OF submarines. the item of the
airplane carriers and aircraft. The
French We're awaiting with a certain
amount OF curiosity what would be said
about the limitation of aircraft-that
is. about the limitation of aviation.
Well, | suppose that their curiosity
was satisfied.
Leaves France Her Air Power
Mr.. Hughes dismissed the whole mat
ter in live lines, saying that towing
70 the that, naval aircraft may be
readilysadapted from special types Of
commercial aircraft, it was not con-
for naval i sls per
fectly sensible.
Desire of remaining sensible, desire
of being practical, those are the domi-
mating notes in Secretary Hughes He
has certainly not forgotten the famous
definition of famous player, who said:
"The cleyerest play is very often to
play fair" On Saturday morning MIR.
Hughes played extremely fair and he
has shown himself extremely clever.
One may discuss the details, sophisti-
cate the case, torture his spirit, suspect
the intentions. One will not prevent the
man in the street, may it be in the
streets of Paris, of London, or Of Yoko-
hama, from keeping in mind only one
fact, and that is that on the very OPEN
ing Of the conference America came for
ward and said: II propose to destroy
sixty-six capital fighting ships, built
and building, representing total ton
uage Of 1,873,O43. And of these sixty
six ships l shall for my part destroy
thirty. Are you ready to destroy the
thirty-six others ?"
1t is in remaining practical and SIM
cere that Mr.. Hughes showed his
adroitness. He has very wisely elimi-
mated from the discussion the limita-
tlon Of land ornaments, which in the
present unknown condition of Russia
and Germany can only lead to confu-
sion.
He has even eliminated France and
Italy from the. limitation of naval
ornaments, putting them out Of the
game-that is, putting them in his
game. He has lost no time in discus
sing the Anglo-Japanese alliance. He
mas ignored it.. He contented himself
with establishing sort of balance of
naval power, which practically liqui-
dates the alliance. It is pity that
Foch was net there. He would have
found in Mr.. Hughes's strategy the ap-
plication of his great principle: "Strike
with all your forces at the weak point"
U. S. Strikes with Giants Vigor
Now the blow has been struck at a
very weak point, and with all the vigor
one could expect from the American
giant.
How will Japan and England avert it :?
The cables no doubt are working day
and night since Saturday noon between
New York and London and between San
Francisco and Yokohama. They are
working at high pressure. They are
working to the point of breaking. One
may surmise what they are transmit
ting in the going trip. What will they
bring back in the returning trip? Will
they ever bring back favorable reply? :?
AS for. France, she finds herself in
the most comfortable situation, in
situation, where she has never found
herself since three years. Everywhere,
on the banks of the Seine, in the fogs
of London, under the orange trees Of
San Reno, near the wooded hills Of
Spa, she had always the impression of
being summoned before a supreme
court where the judge had always the
face of Mr.. David Lilo d George, and
she was always more or less seated in
the box of the accused. l warned my
compatriots four months ago, as far
back as July, that on the Potomac
things would go quite differently.
told them: "Let US go to Washington
with confidence and JOY" Well, here
we are in Washington, seated in or
chestra stalls.
Friend David, it is your turn to take
the stool.
Providence Welcomes Foch