Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-11-18

the United States is prepared to make
IN order e bring ri about 9 sepperal re-
,duction Of armament. #s
1.a Y. S. Willing to Sacrifice.
TIE Willingness of America to junk
Its entire 1915 building program, on
which it has expended $342, 600, zoo to
date, created sensation, and imme-
diately the proposal by the American
premier was backed up by the ap-
plause of the senators and representa-
tives present.
Just what chances the United States
is willing to take in order to achieve q
boon for all mankind was strik1ngiy
illustrated when it was shown that IN
junking the 1915 program America
would be compelled to scrap every one
of the six battle cruisers under con-
struction, although the United States
has no battle cruisers now, while
Great Britain has nine and Japan has
four: -.
After scrapping its uncompleted bat
able to lay down battle cruisers only
In replacement Of capital ships on the
list of Is allotted to the American
navy, and such replacement could not
be undertaken until ten years from the
signing of the agreement.
No Battle Cruisers at All.
This means that if America becomes
involved in war in the next decade it
will have no battle cruisers, and if it
should be war with Japan the United
States will be at disadvantage so far
as the swiftest type Of powerful battle
ships is concerned. On the other hand,
the United States would have the adj
vantage Of Japan in dreadnaughts and
gun power. - r..
Discussion of the administration pro-
posals from the viewpoint of the needs
of American defense undoubtedly will;
revolve largely about the question Of,
these cruisers. The Navy department.
is prepared to defend the scrapping Of
the battle cruisers now building as a.
safe proposition, and Mr.. Hughes took
his cue from them when he said the
plan submitted meets "the proper de-
mands of national defense"
There is bound, however, to be fur
ther criticism Of the program on the
ground that it involves the relinquish-
ment Of too much by the United States
and of too little by England and Japan.
What Each Will Give Up.
1t will be pointed out that the United
States is called upon to scrap, fifteen;
capital ships, including battle cruisers,
while England is to junk only four,
exclusive of it's battle cruisers which
have been completed. The four ships
England is to scrap are of the Hood
class, the keels of which have not been
laid but some of the materials for
which are being fabricated.
Then Japan is required to give up
only seven capital ships building, and,
while these seven include four: battle
cruisers, the Japanese navy already
has four battle cruisers and would be
permitted to build four more.
The disparity is further emphasized
by the fact that, Of capital ships in
course Of construction, the United
States is called upon to scrap 618, 900
tons, Great Britain $4,000 tons, and
Japan 2S8,1OO tons.
Great Britain is required to scrap
nineteen old battleships, the United
States fifteen, and Japan ten.,. 1t will
be pointed out that Great Britain will
be far stronger than the tonnage fig
,ures Indicate, for the bulk of it's capital
ships will be more modern than ours.
Japanese Navy Up a Bit.
The American navy is now twice the
strength Of the Japanese. Under the
proposed plan the Japanese would be
permitted, on the basis of tonnage, q
navy three-fifths the strength of the
American. According to the navy de-
partment viewpoint the Japanese navy
on this basis, even with it's superior
ity Of battle cruisers, could never be-
come menace to the United States.
(, The extent of Americas sacrifices
has caused some of the foreign naval
experts to suggest that it was framed
on the assumption that the Anglo
Japanese alliance is to be dissolved,
leaving Great. Britain free to line up
with the United States in the mainte-
nance of peace in the Pacific.
Action on Secretary Hughes pro-.
posals for reduction Of ornaments can
not be taken until the parliaments
and governments of the powers have
passed legislation permitting it.
There cannot be a .scuttling of entire
squardrons of the fighting ships Of
Britain, Japan, and America until q
vast machinery, terminating in ratt.
f1cation Of triple treaties among the
parties is exchanged. r.~.... ,
+ British and japanese authorities, dis
cussing the proposals, indicated that
1t would be at least year before the
necessary steps could be taken to full
fill the American plan. Military and
naval inquiry boards must first be-
created to investigate and file reports
with recommendations These would
be submitted to the Japanese navy
board and British admiralty.
+ After examination and Endorsement
by the general naval stats, they would
be referred to the houses Of parlia-:
ment and the diet, respectively. Con-
st1tutional laws, thereafter enacted and
ratified by these assemblies, would per-
NIT negotiation and drafting Of trea-
ties, and finally there would remain;
the signatures of the king and mikad0.
Women Approve.