Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-11-23

Vessels.
Secretary Hughes courageous and
clean-cut proposal is certainly dras-
tic enough TO satisfy all except the
proponents OF complete disarmament.
IL leaves the sea powers adequate
navies for the protection Of their in
terests. but ends, once for all, the ex-
trayagant expenditures. necessitated
BY unrestricted competition.-Sydn
Bauou, treasurer of the Navy league.
Washington, Nov. IA radical re-
ducti0n and strict limitation of naval
armament by tile chief naval powers
was proposed by the United States
right of the bat" at the opening Of
the international conference here.
Actually before the delegates were
aware Of what was happening Secre-
tary Hughes. true 10 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.
II Is pointed out that tie proposals
mean IN the direct, immediate matter
Of economy 10 the American people n
saving OF S2G0.OOO.OOO through the
scrapping Of the Is capital ships now
building. II would cost that sum TO
complete them. Already S332. 100000
has been spent on them.
Moreover, there would be a total an
nual saving Of S2OO.OOO,OOO In main
tenance OF the 80 capital ships built
and building, which IL Is proposed TO
junk.
Also It would be possible TO man the
navy with 10000 instead Of 10000
men.
Here's the American Plan.
The American proposals summarized
follow:
I. 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
60 be scrapped at once.
3. All building programs. either &C
tual or projected, 10 be abandoned at
once.
4. The sea power Of the three ma
tionS 10 be maintained on a basis OF a
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.
.. The capital ship to he the unit Of
measurement Of naval strength and
proportionate allowance of auxiliary
craft TO be prescribed.
Size of Requirements.
G. The size Of the capital ships built
for replacement shall be limited TO o.
600 tons. compared with 10000 tons.
the maximum now building. and ag-
gregate capital ship tonnage is 10 be
limited TO 100000 each for England
and the United States and 100000 for
Japan.
=. Auxiliary cruisers and destroyers
the keels of which have been already
laid. 10 be completed. but requirements
20 be on a basis of n maximum 100000
tons each for England and the United
States and 10000 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.
o. Total tonnage OF airplane carriers
10 be limited 10 $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 Il
years old. and destroyers and sub
marines IL years old may be replaced.
No Limit on Naval Aircraft.
IL. Limitation OF naval aircraft
deemed impracticable because OF easy
converting Of commercial aircraft to
war uses.
u. Conversion Of merchant marine
10 warships 10 be regulated by agree
ment.
1S. No ships 10 be built for or dis
posed Of 10 other nations.
Tie United States having shown its
hand. n IS now up 10 Great Britain and
Japan 20 play theirs. The American
rICuTC EIQE IN AIR 0P0p