Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1921-11-18
NAVAL HOLIDAY
PROPOSED BY U. S.
Opening Of Conference on the
Limitation Of Armament
SUSPENSION OF BUILDING
American Secretary Of State Hughes
Outlines Definite Plan For
curtalIment Of Sea
Forces.

Washington.-The United States. at
the opening Of the Conference, pro
posed to the world that naval holi
day be declared for the next 10 years
During that time this Government
believes there should be no furthe
construction of capital ships.
The American program for the lin
itation Of naval armament was pre-
sehted to The Conference on the Lin
itation Of Armament by Secretary Of
State Hughes, head Of the American
delegation. II provides:
!. That all capital shipbuilding pro
grams, either actual or projected,
should be abandoned.
O. That further reduction should be
made through the scrapping of certain
VI the older ships.
5. That in general regard should he
held TO the existing naval strength Of
the powers concerned.
4. That the capital ship tonnage
should be used as the measurement Of
strength for navies and a proportion
ate allowance Of auxiliary combatani
craft prescribed.
Hughes surprised the Conference by
presenting a concrete proposition 70;
arms limitation When he accepted rs
chalrmanship. He emphasized tha;
there is need to take immediate ac
ton on arms limitation.
1T wonid also seem to be a vital
part offs plan for the Limitation Of
naval armament that there should be
naval holiday" Hughes said. at is
proposed that for period Of not less
than 10 years there should be nc
further construction of capital ships.
Il am happy to say that am at lib
erty to go beyond these general propo
sitions. and on behalf OF the American
delegation. acting under the instruc
tons Of the President to submit to 20,
a concrete proposition for an agree.
ment for the limitation OF naval arma
ment.
1T should be added that this pro
posal Immediately concerns the British
Empire, Japan and the United States
In view Of the extraordinary conditions
due to the World War affecting the
existing strength Of the navies O
France and Italy, It Is not thought tt
be necessary to discuss at this stage o.
the proceedings the tonnage allowance
OF these nations. But the United States
proposes that this matter be reserved
Tor the consideration Of the Confer.
ence.
I'm making the present proposal the
United States is most solIcitous tf
deal with the question upon an entire
ly reasonable and practical basis, tc
the end that the Just interests of al,
shall be adequately guarded, and that
national security and defense shall be
maintained"
Gives Plan In Detail.
Hughes outlined then how the Amer.
lean delegation believes the naval
armament Of the world should be
made, giving in detail Just what this
Government believes each nation
should agree to.
The principal features OF the pro
posed agreement, in the words OF
Hughes, are as follows:
CAPITAL SHIPS
The United States is now complet-
ing its program of 1916. calling for 40
new battleships and six battle ships
and six battle cruisers. One battle
ship has been completed The others
are in various stages Of construction.
in some cases from 90 to more than
so per cent. OF the construction has
been done. On these Is capital ships
now being built more than $3.50 900, ,O0c
has been spent Still the United States
is willing, in the interest Of an i'm.
mediate limitation of naval armament
to scrap all these ships.
The United States proposes, II this
plan is accepted
~ To scrap all capital ships now
under construction. This includes six
battle cruisers and seven battleships
on the ways, and in course Of building.
The total number of new capital
ships thus to be scrapped is Is. The
total tonnage of the new capital ships
II completed would be $4,000 tons.
2 e scrae ssii Of the older bat
tleshins up to, but not including, the
Delaware and North Dakota. The
number Of these old battleships to be
scraDped Is Is. Their total tonnage