New-York tribune., 1921-12-25

apiece lor Great Britain and the
United States and $4,000 tons for
Japan.
In Mr.. Hughes's announcement Of
November II the capital ship ton
mage of France and Italy was left
lndeterminate. The American pro-
posal contained this paragraph: 'Tn
view OF certain extraordinary con-
ditions, due to the World War. affect
ing the existing strength of the navies
of France and Italy, the United States
does not consider necessary the dis
cussion at this stage of the proceed
ings Of the tonnage allowance of these
nations, but proposes it be reserved
for the latter consideration of the con-
ference"
Great Britain made no objection to
the 5-5-3 capital ship ratio for the
three major naval powers. Japan did
for a time, urging a ratio Of 10-10-7.
But no substantiation Of the amended
ratio could be found in study of ex
listing naval strength. Japan Welded
on this point early in December. But
she stuck out for modification of the
tonnage limits which would save the
Mutsu.
After the three major naval powers
mad agreed the French and Italian capi-
tai ship tonnage allowance was taken
up. On the basis of existing strength
France was entitled to 1O2 900 tons.
excluding re-dreadnoughts from the
category of capital ships. Including
them, Frances allowance would be in
creased to 10000 tons. The naval
committee of the conference. taking
into account the conditions which pre-
vented France from completing her
1912 naval program, decided to allot
her 175,000 tons, $4,000 more than were
due her on the basis used in the case
Of Great Britain, the United States
and Japan, and II, 900 tons more than
her actual present strength in dread
noughts.
The French delegates caused some
CONSERVATION by asking for capital
ship strength of $4,000 tons, putting
France ahead of Japan. They outlined
a scheme for building ten super-dread-
noughts of $4,000 tons apiece. Mr..
hughes thereupon appealed to Premier
BRAND, who had returned to Europe.
with view Of having this disturbing
proposal reconsidered BRAND agreed
to accept 175,o00 capital ship tonnage,
but announced that he could not ac
cept corresponding reduction in light
cruisers, destroyers and submarines.
which he described as defensive. not
offensive craft.
Italy Desires Capital
Ships Equal to France
italy desires only capital strength
allotment equal to Frances, so that
when the French limit was determined
by Brands reply to Hughes's. Italy'.
was also determined.
SO far as offensive feet warfare is
concerned, the conference has now
pretty we'll taken the teeth out of it.
An agreement is still to be reached on
auxllary combatant craft, including
cruisers, destroyers, submarines and
airplane carriers. The same 5-5-3 ratio
is to apply to Great Britain, the United
States and Japan. The rub NAV come.
as BRAND has indicated, in APPLYING
the LIS ratio in the case of France
and Italy.
The Hughes plan fixed the limit for
cruisers (not including battle cruisers).
destroyers and fotilla leaders at 450,-
600 tons apiece for Great Britain and
the United States and 100000 for
Japan. Reduction in these classes is
not so imperative as reduction in capi-
tai ships, and good deal of aexibility
in adjustment is possible The lighter
surface craft are not an offensive
menace
Great Britain, however, considers
the submarine q dangerous weapon OF
offence against her commerce and is
anxious to outlaw the U-boat. She will
ask to have a complete ban put on the
use Of submarines. The Hughes plan
allowed 10000 submarine tonnage to
Great Britain and the United States
and "a 900 to Japan. BRAND has called
the Uboat the defensive weapon Of the
poorer and weaker maritime nations.
1t is SO to q large extent. The United
States, Japan, France and Italy all want
to retain the submarine. In view of
Frances attitude it seems unlikely
that the Hughes allowance of subma-
rine strength can be lowered
On the whole, the conference has
made remarkable progress toward a
sweeping, almost revolutionary, reduc-
tion of naval armament. 1t has accom-
plished in seven weeks a work for
world pacifcation and economic relief
which ought to astound the Missionaries
as well as the pessimists.
Third Purpose Is to Unity
Policies Toward China
The third purpose of the conference
was to unity the policy of the majo
powers toward China and to inject
some vitality into the promises they
had been making for years to respect
Chlra's territorial integrity and politi-
cal independence. China is a member
Of the conference-in limited sense.
But her role there is elso that of the
subject in clinic. The major power
doctors can stop their malpractice at
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