The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-11-15
QUESTION OF SUBMARINES likely
ID CAUSE ARGUMENT BECAUSE
us, STICKS To THAT TYPE Of CRAFT


Balfour conferred earnestly with
Lord Beatty. There was no prayer.
Announcing the program decisions
of the big five, Secretary Hughes
said: 1T is the intention of this
committee consisting of all plenipo-
tentiary delegates to consider all
matters and report to the plenary
session"
He then announced the plan as out
! lined with respect to the Far Eastern
question.
MAY | ask if these recommenda-
tions meet the sentiments of the con
ference?" the chairman asked. Heads
were NODDED in approval and the pro-
gram was declared by MIR. Hughes
adopted
Mr.. Hughes took his seat while his
statement was repeated in French.
Japan Not Hurt
Washington, Nov. Is (By the AS
sociated Press)-Japan would face a
rather extensive naval building pro
gram, even during the ten year naval
holiday period proposed by Secretary
Hughes, should the American plan be
accepted. She has not built as yet
the proportion of auxiliary craft such
as destroyers. light cruisers and sim
liar vessels she would he allowed to
maintain under the replacement pro-
visions of the plan, it is said. Per
mission to continue her building
schedules is included in the proposals.
There is practically no class of
ships, except airplane carriers, in
which the United States is not now
fully provided and more on the basis
of the proposed schedules. 1t may be
said that itfhe plan is adopted
prompt steps TO supply any deficiency
in airplane carriers will be taken.
No aircraft carriers of the first line
are, now projected The Langley, a
converted collier of 10000 tons, will
be commissioned next month, but S
rated as second line ship.
Probably something could be
worked out in salvaging of other
types of new craft, if the American
proposal is agreed to os to furnish
the additional tonnage in airplane
carriers to which America would be
entitled
British Desire Is Reasonable
Washington, Nov. 15-JBy the AS,
sociated Press. British desire to
discuss the figures on the American
naval replacement program as to
submarines does not surprise Amer
ican naval officials.
1t is fully expected that the Japa-
nese also will have something to say
on this point At the same time it
may lie said quite definitely that the
United States is not prepared to re-
duce below 10000 tons the proror.
tion cf submarines she will be allow
ed to maintain in the proposed re-
striction of fleets. Submarines enter
vitality into the American schemes of
naval defense of her own great coast
line.
AS insular powers, both Great Bri-
tain and Japan are exposed to sub
marine operations to a degree not
true of the United States, officers say
There is little doubt among naval
folk here that Great Britain in par
ticular would welcome absolute pro-
hibition of submarine warfare, or.
failing that, sharp limitation on the
! use to be made of underwater craft.
That phase of the question, the writ
ing of rules to govern employment of
submarines in war, will come before
the conference later as it has a def
mite place in the agenda with other
new agencies, such as aircraft, air
bombing raids, and gas.
Proportion OF Submarines
AS to the proportion of submarines
to the capital ship strength of limited
fleets, proposed by the United States,
it may be said that the existing flo
tilla of submarines in the American
navy is almost wholly composed OF
purely coast defense types, They
would not be available for operation
with the fleet, but would be invalu-
able, officers say, in keeping enemy
craft at a distance from importan,
points on the coast in the event OF
war. And they further offer the read
lest means of keeping an enemy from
setting up floating fleet base in
nearby sheltered waters.
To what extent existing American
submarines could be used overseas as
an offensive weapon is doubtful.
New Craft Under Construction
New craft of about 1000 tons, and
classed as fleet submarines are under
, construction. Some projected vessels
of this calss, however, have not beer
idlQ uOWA WOuiQ U6
under the proposal. For 10 years alsC
plans for new submersibles of severa
classes, based ON careful and com
prehensive study OF captured Ger
man craft and of all war experience
with submarines, could not be exc
cuted. There have been indications
: that the navy department was prepar
: ing for long step forward in thes'
( new plans but details have never beer
| disclosed. A.
' In any case the navy list shows
/ some "a first line submarines, built
J building or on orderg 46 second lin
3 craft and IL fleet submarines. Ac
ceptance of the American proposal TO-
{ reductions would not affect more thar
! 20 or 50 OF the new ships and for tel
!, Years the American navy would hav
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