The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-11-18
iAME R|CAn PLAN
STUNs DELEGATES
Secretary Hughes Proposal
Means Immediate Economy.
WOULD JUNK sc WARsHIPS
U. S. Plan Would Stop Building War
Craft Until 1931-Yank Fleet
Would Equal Britain's, and
Japan Rank Third.


Japan Rank Third.
Washington, Nov. 14.-A radical re
duction and strict limitation of naval
armament by the chief naval powers
was proposed by the United States
fright 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 1oosed 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 $260,000,000 through the
scrapping of the 10 capital ships now
building. 1t would cost that sum to
complete them. Already $4,000, 900
has been spent on them.
Moreover, there would be total an
nual saving of $2O0,0O0OO0 in main
tenanee of the 80 capital ships, built
and building, which 1t is proposed to
junk.
Also 1t would be possible to man the
navy with 10000 instead Of 10000
men.
Here's the American Plan.
The Americanproposals 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.
2. All uncompleted capital ships and
numerous specific older capital ships
to be serapped at once.
8. All building programs, either &C
tual or projected, to be abandoned at
once.
T. The sea power of the three ma
lions to be maintained on basis of
tonnage parity between the American
and the British navies and of Jap
anese navy of three-f1fths 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 Replacements.
6. 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 been already
laid, to be completed, but requirements
to be on basis of q maximum 400. 900
tons each for England and the United
States and 27000O 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.
8. Total tonnage of airplane carriers
to be limited to $4,000 each for Eng
land and the United States and $4,000
for Japan.
TO- Only capital ships and :airplane
carriers 20 years old, cruisers II
years old, and destroyers and sub
marines - years old may be replaced.
No Limit on Naval Aircraft.
IL. Limitation of naval aircraft
deemed impractieable because of easy
converting of commercial aircraft to
war uses.
II. Conversion of merchant marine |
to warships to be regulated by agree
ment.
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
delegation has presented what If No
CARDS and is prepared to defend as a
feasible reduction of The burden of ex-
pense of maintaining naval armament
British Approve Idea, Belief.
The indications are that the British
regard the plan In outline with great
favor, but will have some suggestions
10 make as to details.
The Japanese are inclined to be moro
reserved their viewpoint suggesting
mat Japan cannot afford to accent the
naval limitation proposed unless there I,
should be satisfactory agreement en-
Pacific and Far Eastern questions.
1t was the holiness and openness
md plain assertiyeness of the Ameri-
>an that astonished the foreign dele
gates, those veterans accustomed to
he concealments and maneuverings of
'id-world diplomacy. 1t startled them
o find themselves confronted with
'pen diplomacy. American shirt-sleeve
diplomacy at the outset.
Then Mr.. Hughes got TO the outIina
II the program proposed by the
United States. He dwelt with TELLING
fleet on those details disclosing the
treat sacrifices of naval defense which