New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-11-25
HUGHES REVEALS
NAVAL POLICY
Would Junk Sixty-Six Ships and
Stop Building Until
Year 1881.
MEANS IMMEDIATE ECONOMY
United States to Equal Britain In New
Craft. Japan to Rank Third
$3.50, o0o. 900 Saved Public
at Once.


duction of the present naval arma
ments. and stern limitation to follow
by Great Britain, Japan and the
United States, vas the proposition laid
before the international conference
here by Secretary Hughes. 1t is q
concrete proposal to abandon construc'
tion of capital ships now being bull
and to scrap scores of old fighting
ships involving nearly 100000 tons in
the United States, British and Japan
ese navies, lifted the opening session
of the dlsarmament-Pacit conference
far above the plane of any previous
congress Of the nations ever held.
Actually before the delegates to the
International conference We're 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
senator's. who occupied one balcony
and the representatives, who were in
another, simultaneously arose as Mr.
Hughes concluded presentation of the
reduction program and loosed II tor
rent Of applause.
Huge Saving From the Start.
II is pointed out that the proposals
mean In the direct, immediate matter
of economy TO the American people a
saving OF $260,OOO,OOO through the
s%crapplng of the IL capital ships now
building. II would cost that sum Ia
complete them. Already $685., 10000
has been spent on them.
Here's the American Plan.
The American proposals summarized
follow:
l. The United States, Great Britain
and japan agree to Il navy building
holiday for ten years, during which
time ne new ships shall be built.
.. All uncompleted capital ships and
numerous specific older capital ships
to be scrapped at nee.
3. All building programs, either ac
tual or projected, TO be abandoned al
once.
4. The sea power. of the three ma.
lions TO be maintained oil a basis OF a
tonnage parity between the American
and the British navies and of a Jap,
anese navy OF ~three-ffths the tonnage
of either of the others.
o. The capital ship to be the unit OF
measurement Of naval strength and a
prOportionate allowance of auxiliary
craft to be prescribed.
Size Of requirements.
9. The size Of the capital ships built
for replacement shall be limited to Is.
900 tons, compared with 10000 tons
the maximum now building, and ag,
gregate capital ship tonnage is to be
limited to $4,000 each for England
and the United States and 100000 for
Japan.
Z. Auxiliary cruisers and d~estroyers,
the keels Of which have been already
laid, to be completed, but requirements
to be on a basis Of a maximum 400, OOO
tons each for England and the United
States and 270,OOO 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 $1,000 each for Eng
land and the United States and 4S. 100
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 impracticable because OF easy
converting IF commercial aircraft to
war Uses.
L.. Conversion of merchant marine
to warships 10 be regulated by agree
ment.
Is. No ships to be built for or dis
noSab nf IN other ~naftons