The New York herald., 1921-11-14
Britain to Get Four Extra
Cruisers Now, but Will
Equal U. S. in 1881.
STRONG POINTS IN OFFER
Committees Meet To-day to
Arrange Programme and Pro-
cedure of Sessions.


American plan, laid before the open
ing session of the Conference on
Limitation Of Armament, are still in
the hands of the naval experts of
the other two Powers chiefly con-
cerned. Pending their conclusions
no further step Is probable.
With more time for study by in
terested officials Of all nations, the
American plan began to stand out
to-day In its true proportions. APP
parently 1t is far more than a ten
year naval holiday that Is projected,
coupled with immediate heavy re-
duction of the fleets Of the three
Powers. Beyond that is a third,
equally blunt and direct suggestion
for continuing agreement to limit
the size of battle fleets permanently.
That Is what Mr. Hughes's naval re-
placement plan really amounts to.
In naming the ships to which each
main battle feet would be cut If the
American plan for immediate re-
duction was accepted, Secretary
Hughes's statement shows that Great
Britain and the United States would
be on an exact equality In the num-
Der of battleships, but the British
would retain in addition four battle
cruisers. The proposed Japanese
fleet would be composed of six bat
tleships and four battle cruisers,
while the United States would be
content with battleships alone.
Navy Men Sec Significance.
This may prove more significant as
the discussions proceed, some naval
officers believe. 1t appears probable
that in proposing to agree that both
of the island Powers should be pro-
vided in equal number with these
newest additions to the main fleets of
nations while the United States made
no attempt, for ten years at least, to
equip the American fleet similarly, the
American delegation to the arms con-
ference sought to convey a very def
mite assurance that America. as Presi-
dent Harding told the conference, en-
tered the discussion with no selfish
purpose to serve.
REIMBURSEMENT by the United
States of any battle cruiser element
in her fleet. some officers said, at once
indicated clearly that the navy was
not being maintained with the deliber-
ate idea that it might some day be-
come advisable to raid the sea COM
merce of the two insular Powers, or
either of them Battle cruisers would
be invaluable. perhaps vital. to the
successful prosecution ola naval war
across the Pacific, II was said.
In the proposal thai the other two
Powers retain baa.ie cruiser squadrons,
also. these observers saw a possible
concrete expression Of American recog-
milton OF the necessities of the naval
forces OF those countries of American
willingness that tncv should prosecute
legitimate ventures over tn world re-
quiring far flung merchant routes, and
naval craft they though. best suited
for the need
AS a continental Power. although as
serting In this proposal the right to an
equal footing with any ratior on the
nas. the United States might not neces-
sarily need BATTLE cruisers c., the other
Powers feel they do. 1t was said.
Long step Taken Forward.
At any rate the American Govern
ment has made fiat proposition In re-
gard to battle cruisers, which It was
thought might ~ very difficult of
treatment at the conference II remains
to be seen what japan and Great Brit
ain think about u, but long step
toward agreement IN that question has
been taken naval folk believe.
The actual busiress of negotiation
OF the conference will get under way
tomorrow when she leads Of dele9a-
tons will meet to discuss procedure n
subject likely to develop irto one of the
most important of the who conference.
Every one of the Interested Powers has
put forth expressions emphasizing that
the order in which the topics appear on
the programme would hav.i a significant
bearing on the ability OF the conferences
10 move quickly toward practical re-
suits.
To agree on the preliminary details
two meetings will be held. In the morn
ing the COMMITTEES on Programme and
Procedure for Limitation of Arrna-
inents. Of which the heads If the Amer
lean. British, F'ren II. italian and Jap
anese delegations are members will
assemble to consic-r tine armament end
Of The programme, and In the afternoon
there will be a meeting OF re Commit
tee on Programme and Procedure for
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