The Ordway new era., 1921-11-25

Vessels.
Secretary Hughes courageous and
clean-cut proposal is certainly dras-
Tie enough TO satisfy all except the
proponents of complete disarmament.
1t leaves the sea powers ADEQUATE
haNies for the protection of their in
tereSts, but ends, once for all, the eN-
tr'tNagant expenditures necessitated
by unrestricted competition.-Sydn
Ballou, treasurer of the Navy league.
Washington, Nov. IA radical re-
ductiOn and strict limitation of naval
armament by the chief naval powers
WAS proposed by the United States
right off the bat" at the opening of
the international conference here.
Actually before the delegates were
aware of what was happening Secre-
tary 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 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 S260,0O0,O0O through the
scrapping of the IL capital ships now
building. 1t would cost that sums to
complete them. Already S332 100000
has been spent on them.
Moreover, there would be total an
nual saving of S2OO,0OOOOO in main
tenance of the 80 capital ships, built
and building, which 1t is proposed to
junk.
Also it would be possible to man the
navy with G00O0 instead of 10000
men.
Here's the American Plan.
The American proposals summarized
follow:
]. The United States, Great Britain
and Japan agree to navy building
holiday for ten years, during which
time no new ships shall be built
=. All uncompleted capital ships and
numerous specific older capital ships
to be scrapped at once.
g. All building programs, either ac-
tual or projected, to be abandoned at
once.
4.srhe sea power of the three ma
tions to be maintained on a basis of a
tonnage parity between the American
and the British navies and of a Jap
anese navy of three-tifthS the tonnage
of either Of the others.
s. The capital ship to he the unit of
measurement Of naval strength and a
proportionate allowance of auxiliary
craft to he prescribed
Size of RepIacements.
G. The size OF the capital ships built
for replacement shall be limited to 25,-
900 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 been already
laid, to be completed, but requirements
to he on Il basis of Il maximum $4,000
tons each for England and the United
States and 270OO0 tons for Japan.
s. Same provision for submarines.
with the maximum tonnage 10000
each for England and the United
States and $4,000 for Japan.
Q. 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 airplane
carriers 20 years old. cruisers II
years old. and destroyers and sub
marines L. years old may be replaced.
No Limit on Naval Aircraft.
II. Limitation of naval aircraft
deemed impracticable because of easy
converting of commercial aircraft to
war uses.
10. Conversion OF merchant marine
TO wsrships to be regulated by agree
mant.
13. No ships to be built for or dis
posed of to other nations.
The United States having shown its
hand, it is now up to Great Britain and
Japan to play theirs. The American