Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-14
NAVAL EXPERTS
STUDY TERMS Of
NER|CAN PLAN
To GUT FLEETS
Pending Their Conclusions
and Report, No Further
Step is Probable, Is Belief
in Washington.
FLAT REJECTION NOT
REGARDED AS LIKELY
With Further Time for
Study, the Suggestion
Begins to Stand Out in
Its True Proportions.

Washington, Nov. 13 (by
The Associated Press) Del
egates to the arms confer
ence had not recovered
today from the shock of Sec
retary Hughes blunt presen-
tation yesterday of the pro-
posal for immediate reduc-
tion of the fleets of Great
Britain, the United States
and Japan, and for a ten
year naval holiday.
The concrete terms of the Amer
lean plan, laid before the opening
session were still in the hands of
The naval experts of the other two
powers chiefly concerned. Pending
their conclusions no further step is
probable. Spokesman for Britain
and Japan had nothing to add to
their previous guarded comments
AS far as they went, those state.
ments were encouraging and II was
certain, at least. that no possibility
OF flat rejection of the plan existed
|, without doubt it will form the
basis for reaching whatever CON
clusions the conference brings
forth.
A Third Suggestion.
With further time for study.
the American plan began to stand
out today in its true proportions
Apparently it is far more than a TO-,
year naval holiday that is project
ed, coupled with immediate heavy
reduction Of the fleets of the three
powers. Beyond that is third,
equally blunt suggestion for a con-
tinulng agreement to limit the size
of battle fleets permanently. That
is what Mr.. Hughes naval replace
ment plan really amounts to.
In naming ships to which each
main battle fleet would be cut If
the American plan for immediate
reduction was accepted. Secretary
Hughes statement shows that
Great Britain and the United States
would be on an equality on the
number of battleships. but the
British would retain in addition
four battle cruisers. The proposed
japanese fleet would be composed
of six battleships and four battle
cruisers, while the United States
would be content with battleships
alone.
No Selfish Purpose.
This may prove more significant
as the discussions proceed, some
naval officers believe. 1t appears
probable that in pronosing to agree
that both of the island powers
should he provided in equal number
with the newest editions to the
main fleets. while the United States
made no attempt, for ten years at
least, to equip the American fleet
similarly. the American delegation
sought to convey a definite assur-
lance that America, as Preside,
Harding said. came to the discus
sion with no selfish purpose to
serve
Battle Cruiser Element.
REIMBURSEMENT by the United |
States of any battle cruiser element |
some officers said, at once indi- |
Gated clearly that the navy was not |
being maintained with the delber-
ate idea that 1t might some day be- |
come advisable to raid the sea |
commerce of the two insular pow
ers, or either of them. Battle |
cruisers would be invaluable. per-
haps vital to successful prosecution |
of a naval war across the Pacific, |
1t was said
In the proposal that the other |
two powers retain battle cruiser |
squadrons. also, these observers
saw n possible concrete expression
of American rec gnition OF the me-
cessities in naval forces of those
countries: of American Willingness
that thew should prosecute legiti- |
mate ventures over the world re- !
far-flung merchant routes
and er1nlov for protection OF those
routes naval craft thev thought
heet suited tn the need AS con-
tinental power. although asserting
in this nronosal the right to an.
enuaI footin~ with apv nation on
the seas the United states might
not necessarilv need battle cruisers
(Continued on Page Two)