The Ordway new era., 1921-11-25

delegation has presented what it re-
CARDS and is prepared to defend as
feasible reduction of the burden of ex-
pense of maintaining naval armament
British Approve Idea, Belief.
The indications are that the British
regard the plan In outline with great
favor, but will have some suggestions
to make as to details.
The japanese are inclined to be more
reserved. their viewpoint suggesting
that Japan cannot afford to accept the
naval limitation proposed unless there
should be Il satisfactory agreement on
Pacific and Far Eastern questions.
1t was the boIdness 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 tine 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 IL general re-
duction of armament.
U. S. Willing to Sacrifice.
The willingness of America to junk
its entire 1916 building program, on
which it has expended S342 100000 to
date, created a sensation and imme-
diately the proposal by the American
premier was backed up by the ap-
plause of the senator's and representa-
tives present.
just what chances the United States
is willing to take in order to achieve
| boon for all mankind was strlkingly
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.
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 it.
There cannot he a 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 EDITORIAL OPINION.
London. Nov 14.-The London
Times says in an editorial: president
Harding of the United States set the
right note for the Washington confer
ence when he assured the delegates
that he welcomed them not alone for
their high purpose, but for their high
faith If that faith be strong enough
general enough, and continuous enough
in the masses of the people whose wills
are the force behind the conference
success in the great objects of the CON
ference will be attained"
An editorial in the Daily News says:
by single gesture America has
changed the whole face of information
al affairs. A despairing world has
been shown path of salvation. This
path, which was missed at Versailles.
is revealed once again at Washington
as broad and straight"
The Daily Express says in an edi-
torial: valiant il staggering is the
proposal of the United States. 1t
brings an ideal to the verge of practi-
cal politics."
The Daily Telegraph's editorial says:
..rhe United States has astonished and
impressed the world by her audacity
and by the grand sweep of her pro-
posals. These will stagger humanity.
They are tremendous proposals on