The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-14

thereafter at a fixed ratio of three
tc five in naval strength in comparl-
son to the other two fleets. 1t was
not clear tonight how that would
finally be viewed by Japan.
Capital Ships
The American replacement plan
proposes to limit future capital ships
to $4,000 tons. Taken in connection
with the Tonnage allottments; that
would mean main fleets of IA capital
craft each for Great Britain and the
United states and eight for Japan,
provided all are built up to the limit
81 size.
The heaviest tonnage of capital
craft so far planned is understood to
be in connection with Japan's project
ed battle cruisers, said to reach $4,000
tons. Such ships and also such yes
sells as the six new battleships and
six battle cruisers the United States
Is building well over 10000 tonners
would be prohibited.
Limitation in size is a vital ele-
ment in naval construction. The
speed and cruising radius are those
factors from which the size OF ships
is determined. Probably the $4,000
ton Limitation would make impossible
any ship carrying heavier batteries
than eight)16-inch weapons.
1t is to be noted that in the Amer
lean scheme no date as to new ships
laid down as requirements would be
required to be furnished by the power
planning the ship to the other two.
but the tonnage and the dates of con-
tract, keel lying, completion and de-
struction of the ship displaced. No
AZ - or ~ lie do 70 twill he 1no fcrt,
of the vessels, batteries speed, fuel
capacity or other military character
istics beyond the S5,O00-ton maximum
weight.
In outlining the plans for all the
auxiliary craft that make UP modern
fleets, care was taken to exclude
from the limitations existing tonnage
In monitors or purely coast defense
vessels. and in supply and other train
ships, tugs and the like. There would
be no necessity to dispose of any ex-
cess of these craft any power might
have. as they would not weigh much
in the scale OF the reduced main
fleets Otherwise, with the exception
of aircraft, the five-to- three ratio as
between the strength of the British
and American fleets and that of ia
pan. would apply all down the line
1t Is an exact establishment that has
been worked out.
The figure may be significant Ma
val officers always have contended
that 1t would require a two to one
preponderance of forces to carry bat
tie to Japan across the Pacific If the
attacking power lacked bases we'll
out toward that side, because the
possibility of accidents to ships
which would put them out of action
as total losses. although a nearby
base might quickly have refitted
them for front line. Here Is where
the great Importance of naval bases
in the Pacific. not touched upon by
Mr.. Hughes. lies. On the five to
three ratio of naval strength. officers
say, that preponderance would not be
available to Great Britain or the
United States. 1t would take joint
forces to furnish the ships and then.
because of double trains and divided
command. experts think a three to
one preponderance necessary to make
certain the result.
Another element of the Amer
lean programme yet to be ex-
planned liz the statement ms to the
Universe rntie- Importance of the
merchant marine. compared to
the naval strength maintained by
any power. That means that ms
the size of the naval force goes
down. the possibilities of turning
merchant vessels into warships
by mounting gums ON their decks
go up. With few fighting ships
to meet armed merchantmen
would be themselves fighting
craft, ready for battle with ships
Of their kind. II the nnvies were
scrapped, Great Britain would
have overwhelming preponder-
ance In naval strength, due to her
enormous merchant marine.
Apparently the American delega-
ton was influenced by some such
consideration as this In reaching the