Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-11-17


1t was the boldness and openness
and plain assertiveness of the Ameri-
can that astonished the foreign dele
gates, those veterans accustomed to
the concealments and maneuverings OF
old-world diplomacy. 1t startled them
to find themselves confronted with
open diplomacy, American shirt-sleeve
diplomacy at the outset.
Then Mr.. Hughes got to the outline
of the program proposed by the
United States. He dwelt with telling
effect on those details disclosing the
great sacrifices of naval defense which
the United States is prepared to make
in order to bring about general re-
duction of armament.
v. s. Willing to Sacrifice.
The willingness OF America TO junk
its entire 1916 building program, on
which 1t has expended S342, OOO,OO0 to
date, created sensation, aud imme-
diately the proposal by the American
premier was backed up by the APP
plause of the senators and representa-
lives present.
Just what chances the United States
| is willing to take in order TO achieve
boon for all mankind was strikingly
illustrated when il was shown that In
junking the 1916 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
tie cruisers the United States would be
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 1t
will have no battle cruisers, and II 1t
should be a war with Japan the United
! States win be at disadvantage so far
US the swiftest type of powerful battle
ships is concerned. On the other haI.d,
the United States would have the adj
vantage of Japan in dreaonaughts and
gun power.
Discussion of the administration pro
posals from the viewpoint of the needs
of American defense undoubtedly will
revolve largely about the question OF
1 IL, ~ I1ln m
is prepared to defend the scrapping of
the battle cruisers now building as u
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 1t involves the relinquish-
ment of too much by the United States
and of too little by England and Japan.
What Each VIII Give Up.
It will be pointed out that the United
StatesIs called upon to scrap fifteen
capital ships, including battle cruisers,
all of which are under construction.
while England is to junk only four.
exclusive of Its 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 10 give up
only seven capital ships building, ana,
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 61S,000
tons, Great Britain 172.0O0 tons, and
Japan 2SS,l00 tons.
Great Britain is required to scrap
nineteen old battleships, the United
States fifteen, and Japan.t ten. 1t will
be pointed out that Gre,,t Britain will
be far stronger than the tonnage fig
ures indicate, for the bulk IL Its capital
ships win be more moderb than ours.
Japanese Navy Up ia Bit.
The American navy Is dow twice the
strength of the japanese Under the
proposed plan the Japanese would be
permitted, on the basis of tonnage, a
navy tlree-fifths the Strength of the
American. According 10 the navy de-
partment viewpoint the japanese navy
on this basis, even with its superior
ity of battle cruisers, could never be-
come a menace TO the United States.
The extent of Americas sacrifices
has caused some of the foreign naval
experts to suggest that 1t was framed
ON the assumption that the Anglo
japanese alliance is to be dissolved.
Sees Long Delay.
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 1t.
There cannot be scuttling of entire
squardrons Of the fighting ships of
Britain, Japan. and America until
vast machinery, terminating In rati-
fication of triple treaties among the
parties Is exchanged.
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
ill the American plan.