New-York tribune., 1921-11-15
Seeks Concession to Per-
init One 4Shipyard to
Operate in Order to
Preserve the Industry
New Issue Raised
Over Clyde Plants
England Wants to Build
for Foreign Nations;
Harding Opposes Idea
By Carter Field

Oy Adftcf TlclQ
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14.-Great
Britain's acceptance of the American
proposals for the reduction of naval
armaments as basis for discussion
will be voiced at to-morrow's session
of the arms conference here by Ar
thur j. Balfour, head Of the British
Empire delegation. This was made
known to-day in connection with in
tlmations that several amendments
or reservations to the proposals set
forth on Saturday by Chairman
Charles E. Hughes will be made by
the British delegates.
1t is understood that In place Of
ten-year naval building holiday Mr..
Balfour will suggest the maintenance
in each country Of one warship con-
struction plant, and the making of
requirements from year to year,
rather than at the end Of ths holi-
day. The British also are expected
to move for a reduction Of the ton
mage of submarines allowed each of
the powers and may even suggest
that submersibles be entirely aban-
doned as vessels Of war.
The British acceptance is going to
lead directly to discussion of ques-
tion upon which there is what
amounts to a fundamental difference
of opinion.
Foreign Construction an Issue
The very roots Of President Hsr-
ding's whole armament limitation ideals
are wrapped around a little point to
| which the British take sharp exception,
and which they seem to think is 50 un-
| important from the American point Of
view that it may readily be conceded.
1t is the little paragraph stating that
: no nation shall build warshipa for
other countries
The President frankly desires and has
| so expressed himself in talks with his
advisers, that the battleship building
! industry should be curtailed as much
as possible. 1t would not displease
him, in view of his hopes for far
reaching results in armament limita
! tion from the present conference. if
at the end of the ten years naval holiday
he has proposed there should be no
large warship building industry to
bring pressure on the various nations
for naval preparedness
Here is the clause in question:
"No capital ship tonnage nor
auxiliary combatant craft tonnage
! for foreign account shall be con-
structed within the jurisdiction Of
any one of the powers party to this
agreement during the term Of this
agreement
Want to Preserve Industry
The British view this clause solely
from the economic aspect, concentrated
especially on the present unemploy
ment situation in the British Empire,
and their very great desire that the
big shipyards on the Clyde and else
| They point out that compliance with
the American program on big ships
would be q severe blow to their ship
building industry, but that this little
added provision, which was not even
included in Mr.. Hughes's speech, but
was in the application Of It which
was handed to the delegates and the
press, is the straw which broke the
camel's back.
/ They point out that the British a.
ways have been great builders Of ships
for other nations, especially warships.
They have built submarines for Japan
in great numbers. and are buildlnp
them now. At the outbreak OF the
| World War they commandeered two
battleships under construction for 4
South American republic.
To stop all construction Of warships
for foreign account, they point out
even II the nations for which the ships
were to be built should agree to COM
ply with naval limitations acceptable
to the major naval powers, would, they
think, be going much too far in strik-
ing at so important British industry
and one which gives employment to {
tremendous number of men.
They do not realize that shis idea Is
fundamental with President Harding
regarding it merely as another safe
guard thrown in so as to prevent any
particular nation from having nearly
completed warships in excess of hsr
allotment, which could be comman.
deered in the event Of war.
Harding Holds Clause Vital
But President Harding's view Of this
according to close advisers of the
President, with whom the Tribune cor,
respondent talked to-day, goes mucf
i further than the mere thought Of pre
venting any nation getting an advan
tage by being in q position to com
mandeer warships under construction
for any foreign account. Naturall,
this in itself is an important point an.
one which would interfere tremendous
ly with the balance Of naval power pro
posed in the American limitation pro
gram. For that very reason the Britisl
! have thought that it was the brai,