Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-12-23
AGREEMENT SOON
ON NAVAL PLANS
THREE MAJOR PROPOSITIONS
TO BE SETTLED BY CONFER
ENcE BEFORE VERY LONG.
CHRISTMAS RECESS LIKELY
Statements by the British Forecast
Abrogation of Alliance With Japan
Chance of Renewed Warfare in
ireland Causes Anxiety.
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK

WdSHluSlOH.--1ls Will not De long UO-
fore the three principal naval prop
ositions before the great international
conference are settled for good or i'll.
The world soon will know in detail,
which later is to follow the reports
on the naval disarmament decisions,
just what disposition is to be made
of submarines and of some of the
smaller but also deadly craft which
now ply the seas. 1t seems assured,
from the general trend of things, that
this submarine matter, now of some
dispute between Great Britain, the
United States and France, win be
ended satisfactorily in some kind of
a compromise.
1t is known that the naval officers
Of the United States from the first
have been rather set in their opinions
on this subject and have not been
willing that this country should yield
to the British view that long-ranging
seems likely that a compromise which
shall be satisfactory to the naval
officers of all services finally will be
reached.
Following the adjustment Of sub
marine matters, there will be a report
on the naval holiday of ten years
4 duration, although it is possible this
report may be delayed for some time.
The conferees, 1t Is understood, wish
to have a real Christmas recess. The
British are not accustomed to working
at Yule-tide, and they do not like the
idea any more when in America than
4 they do in England, but of course any
Christmas sentiment will not be al
i lowed to interfere with absolutely
necessary work.
No More Formal Alliances.
Everything which thus far has been
said, or rather limited at, by the British
who are here seems to make it further
assured that formal alliances for Of
fensive and defensive purposes be-
tween nations have had their day.
An unofficial declaration from Lord
Riddell, who is attached to the British
delegation as a sort of liaison officer
between it and the correspondents,
has said definitely that the days of
formal alliances are done. He has
added that s'the conference is going
to function and is going to make big
decisions
OF course the hints about alliances
! draw the attention to one alliance
which is a source of anxiety to the
| American State department., the pact
between Great Britain and Japan. 1t
has been said before in dispatches that
this alliance probably is to walk the
| diplomatic plank, to plunge into the
sea of oblivion. More and more the
opinion is strengthened here that
Great Britain and Japan will find a
way to cut the existing bonds without
apparent worry on either side as to
the consequences. 1t is true that the
Japanese may witness the cutting with
regret, but that they will show sorrow
in facial expression is to be doubted
Economic Effort Considered.
What will be the effect on the
economic condition of the countries
generally if the proposed reduc-
ton in naval ornaments goes into
effect? This is rather hard ques-
ton to answer today, and yet the
economists already are trying to give
1t an answer.
If there is to be, as is generally sup
day 1t means, of course, that for ten
years Warship construction, except
for a few requirements, will be at
standstill. This fact carries with it
the other fact that good many
skilled Workmen will be thrown out
of employment by fhe naval holiday.
These skilled workers, however, it is
said, before they have been out of
jobs any great length of time, readily
enough can find employment in other
constructive fields where their skill
will stand them in good stead and in
good wages.
There is another side to this ques-
ton which reflects that phase of hui
man nature which must be considered
when arms reductions are given
thought If most of the skilled war
ship makers go into other employ
ments for ten years, or even for a
shorter period, and get well settled in
these employments, how can they be
collected again quickly in case some
nation, despite the conference and
everything else, starts on the war;
path?
Affects British Especially.
Preparedness for war must take into
consideration not only men for the
fighting line but men in the labor field.
Great Britain's unemployment prob
lem is more difficult one to solve to-
day than that Of the United States, or
perhaps than that of any other nation
except possibly Russia. 1t is perhaps
natural therefore, that Great Britain
has brought to the attention of the
conferees the subject of the discharge
of thousands of battleship-yard work
ers, and has suggested that some kind
Of provision be made for rthe future
of these men.
Under the proposed naval reduction
plan there can be requirements of bat
tleships as the older ships become OBJ
FAMOUS WoLlNs