The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-11-08
BY DAVID LAWREN

Naval SIFenSth.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Despatch to The Reformer.)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, Nov. S.-America's
program for limitation of naval arma-
ments has been practically agreed upon.
The details remain to be shaped-the
fundamentals are clear. They are:
First, for every naval item given up
by the United States there shall be an
equivalent given up by other naval pow
erS.
Second. the present ratio Of naval
strength shall be maintained in the sense
that the United States shall not be
placed in a weaker position toward other
powers than she is at the moment.
Third, the British having accepted the
term equality with the United States.
the disparity in strength between the two
navies shall. at least, not be increased.
Fourth. the phrase Limitation of arm
ament" is held to mean that all the ma
items shall be permitted to finish the
building programs which they have al
ready organized. Reduction of arma
ment" is held to mean that vessels still
in commission but growing obsolete shall
be scrapped and the tax burdens reduced
by an agreement not to replace these.
ships but to economic by eliminating the
expense of keeping up old vessels.
Fifth. Il definite understanding by ali
powers as to exactly what IS meant by
the term replacement with respect to
vessels now in first class condition but
which may eventually become inferior in
value to new types of naval craft which
may be designed in the future.
Sixth. in considering naval strength.
there shall be included merchant maripe
and all auxiliary vessels which can be pos
Sbfy converted into warShipS in an
emergency az we'll as all bases fortified
and unfortitied which could be used in
naval operations. In reducing, arma-
ment expense. it Is essential to consider
the millions Of dollars which are spent
annually to maintain naval bases and re
pair stations at remote points. This
question is most acute in connection with
a possible naval conflict in the Pacific.
where bases are quite as important rs
the number of naval vessels available for
theoretical war.
Simply Basic Items
The foregoing principles, as worked
out by our naval experts. have been given
4 to the American delegation consisting of
Secretary Hughes, Senators Lodge and
Underwood and Former Senator Root.
They are basic ideas but. of course. no
single plan can be drawn mp which will
take care of all contingencies. 1t Is up
to the four members of the American del
egation to determine just how far each
principle can be applied. The navy Is
really presenting alternative plans. One
plan may be predicated on a diplomatic
settlement of certain disputes in the Far
East. Another plan may be predicated
on an absolute agreement with reference
l.
all its ideas to the American delegation
relying upon the latter to Use those prin-
CipleS as the discussion develops.
Thus far it would seem aS if the naval
men would like to see limitation carried
out literally by permitting the completion
Of existing programs but many of them
2 realize that this will not satisfy American
public opinion which has hoped the con-
ference would not merely bring about an
equilibrium as between navieS but which
would actually reduce the annual eX-
pcnSe. Reduction of armament involun-
tarily becomes the objective and the real
problem of the naval expert Is to evolve
a plan which will reduce expense by
eliminating the superhuous parts of a
navy without altering its main lighting
strength.
May Propose Further Reduction
Wben the American program is finally
developed after the discussions have al
ready begun. it would not be surprising to
see the American delegation feel its way
toward further reductions of expense even
presenting proposals for radical cutting
of naval programs now under construc-
ton. This IS at this time merely cOnjec-
( ture. The American delegation is prepar
ing moderate program to lay before the
conference hoping eventually to modify
( and still further reduce expenses. The
( navy department considers its function t.
keep the American delegation advised t.
how far the navy can be reduced, con
sistcnt with domestic safety" But the
\ American~ delegation, which has the re
sponsibility of making Americas policy
at the conference, must first obtain as
surances and explicit agreements con
corning the willingness of the other
/ powers to make equivalent reductions il
expense. The conference viii not be q
single nations affair. 1t depends fol
success on cooperation. America viii
not limit her armament alone nor vii
she reduce it alone. All must agree t
practical measures which are so def
nitely described as to leave no lOoI
holes for international misunderstanding
In linn,