, 1921-11-24
HUGHES REVEALS
naval POLICY
Would Junk Sixty-Six Ships and
Stop Building Until
Year 1881.
MEANS IMMEDIATE ECONOMY
United States to Equal Britain In Now
Graft. Japan to Rank Third
$780, oo, 900 Saved Public
at Once,

Washington, Nov. 14.-Sweeping re-
duction of the present naval arma-
ments. and stern limitation to follow,
by Great Britain, Japan and the
United States, was the proposition laid
before the international conference
here by Secretary Hughes. 1t is a
concrete proposal to abandon construc-
tion of capital ships now being built
and to scrap scores of old fighting
ships Involving nearly 100000 tons In
the United States, British and Japan
csc navies, lifted the opening session
of the disarmament-Pacifc conference
far above the plane of any previous
congress Of the nations ever held.
Actually before the delegates to the
international conference were aware
OF what was happening secretary
Hughes, true to his promise. had laid
the cards of Uncle Sans hand face
up on the table.
The effect of the unexpected move
was heightened by the spontaneous
Endorsement of the executive proposals
on the spot by the legislative branch
Of the American government. The
senators, who occupied one balcony,
and the representatives, who were in
another, simultaneously arose as Mr..
Hughes concluded presentation Of the
reduction program and loosed a tor
rent Of applause.
Huge Saving From the Start.
1t Is pointed out that the proposals
mean in the direct, immediate matter
of economy to the American people a
saving of S260,OOO 900 through the
s%crapping of the Is capital ships now
building. 1t would cost that sum to
complete them. Already $500. 100000
has been spent on them.
Here's the American Plan.
The American proposals summarized
follow:
1. The United States, Great Britain
n Japan agree to a navy building
holiday for ten years, during which
time no new ships shall be built.
2. All uncompleted capital ships and
numerous specific older capital ships
to be strapped at once.
3. All building programs. either &C.
tual or projected. to be abandoned al
once.
4. The sea power of the three ma.
lions to be maintained on a basis of q
tonnage parity between the American
and the British navies and of a Jap.
anese navy of three-fifths the tonnage
Of either of the others.
5. The capital ship to be the unit OF
measurement Of naval strength and a
proportionate allowance of auxiliary
craft to be prescribed.
Size Of Replacement.
O. The size of the capital ships built
for replacement shall be limited to 25,.
600 tons, compared with 10000 tons
the maximum now building, and ag.
gregate capital ship tonnage is TO be
limited to 100000 each for England
and the United States and 100000 for
Japan.
Z. Auxiliary cruisers and %destroyers,
the keels of which have beer already
laid, to be completed, but requirements
TO be or a basis of a maximum 10000
tons each for England and the United
States and 10000 tons for Japan.
8. Same provision for submarines,
with the maximum tonnage 10000
each for England and the United
States and $4,000 for Japan.
0. Total tonnage of airplane carriers
to be limited to $4,000 each for Eng.
land and the United States and $4,000
for Japan.
10. Only capital ships and alrplane
carriers 20 years old, cruisers II
years old. and destroyers and sub
marines IL years old may be replaced.
No Limit on Naval Aircraft.
IL. Limitation OF naval aircraft
deemed lmpracticable because Of easy
converting of commercial aircraft to
war uses.
II. Conversion OF merchant marine
TO warshlps to be regulated by agree
ment.
13. No ships to be built for or dis
noSad NJ IN Ofhpr natIona