The New York herald., 1921-11-25
Plea for 10 P. C. Extra in
Capital Vessels Likely to
Win Something.
SUB TONNAGE IS UP SOON
Delegates Will Likely Consider
'Vipers' First in Final
Compromise.
Special Despatch to THE New YonK Hr,,,,.

special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
washington ID. c., Nov. "a
upon the expectation that the dele.
gates Of the United States. Great
Britain and Japan will ultimately
agree on the "5-5-3" ratio as the
standard for their navies. officials ara
casting about for some reasonabls
means Of insuring that the nations
will live up to limits prescribed. It
Is to be included in the agreement that
will be drawn up
1t is fairly well established that a
commission of naval officers will be
provided for to inspect at intervals
the different navies. to see that they
are not exceeding the limits set in the
agreement This committee will at
intervals make reports to the different
Governments concerned.
The limitation Of the navies along the
lines provided by Secretary Hughes in
the original American proposal is gener-
ally accepted now as the final basis for
the forthcoming agreement despite the
attitude OF Japan, and so attention has
been turned to the form the agreement
should take. Secretary Hughes did not
propose the details of the enforcement
scheme. allowing that to slide along un-
til other features had been worked out.
Cheating Ii Not Expected.
There is not the slightest thought
that any OF the nations will agree to q
curtailment programme, signing a treaty
and binding the Government. and then
turn around and violate the pact by
building more tonnage than allowed. Still
1t is realized that something ought to be
done to give assurance from time to
time that the nations were abiding
wholeheartedly with the terms.
Such reinsurance would naturally put
at rest reports that might spring up
from time to time that this or that
nation was not following the provisions
Of the pact and was, despite It's treaty,
building more vessels than 1t should.
Secretary Hughes up to this time has
not revealed what has been in his mind
regarding such an agreement. and he
probably will not until later. when the
terms are finally decided. 1t is expected
that the enforcement provisions will be
prepared by Mr.. Hughes working with
Arthur j. Balfour of Great Britain and
Admiral Baron Kato of Japan. They
form the subcommittee in charge of de-
tails OF the naval programme.
American naval officers who are help
ing Mr.. Hughes with the American part
Of the naval programme thought It pos-
sible to-day that the question OF subna-
rine tonnage would be taken up as one
Of the nrst features In the fral COM
promise. They believed the United
States would be willing In view Of the
British protest to recede from Its sug-
gestlon that 10000 tons of submarines
be allowed TO the United States and
Great Britain while $4,000 tons be al
lowed to japan.
u. s. Submarines $4,000 Tons.
At present with those now building,
the United States Navy possesses Sub
marines aggregating $4,000 tons. IL is
said the submarines In commission, how
ever. do not exceed $4,000 tons. Whilo
American naval officers dislike the idea
of a reduction, II Is regarded as prob
able that they will agree to cut down
the tonnage materially, perhaps to $4,000
tons.
The general understanding that tho
Japanese demand that 10 per cent. be
added to her capital ship tonnage would
be set aside In the final agreement led
to a consideration of the second proposal
of japan that In a type of ship OF
purely defensive character she should
approximate the auxiliary tonnage OF
the two chief naval powers. 1t was the
understanding of the officers considering
the whole question that n compromise
agreeable to all three parties would be
reached.
Japan has not revealed the exact
character OF the ships In this auxiliary
class, but II Is understood they are to
be In the main light cruisers with
comparatively short cruising radius. OF
this type Of vessel--auxiliary--it was
provided In the Hughes programme that
Japan get 100000 tons. in comparison
with 45o.eoo tons for the United states
and Great Britain each.