Middletown transcript., 1921-11-19
NAVAL HOLIDAY
PROPOSED BY u. S.
Opening Of Conference on the
Limitation Of Armament
SUSPENSION OF BUILDING
American Secretary Of State Hughes
Outlines Definite Plan For
CurtaiIment OF Sea
Forces.

Forces.
Washington.-The United States, at
the opening of the Conference, pro-
posed to the world that naval holi-
day be declared for the next 10 years
During that time this Government
believes there should be no further
construction of capital ships.
The American program for the linn
itation of naval armament was pre-
sented to The Conference on the Linn.
itation of Armament by Secretary OF
State Hughes, head of the American
delegation. It provides:
1. That all capital shipbuilding pro.
grams, either actual or projected,
should be abandoned.
2. That further reduction should be
made through the scrapping of certain
Of the older ships.
3. That in general regard should be
held to the existing naval strength OF
the powers concerned.
4. That the capital ship tonnage
should be used as the measurement of
strength for navies and proportion
ate allowance of auxiliary combatant
craft prescribed.
Hughes surprised the Conference by
presenting a concrete proposition for
arms Limitation when he accepted its
craftsmanship. He emphasized that
there is need to take immediate ac-
ton on arms limitation.
1T would also seem to be vital
part of a plan for the limitation Of
naval armament that there should be
a naval holiday" Hughes said. 1T is
proposed that for period of not less
than 10 years there should be no
further construction Of capital ships.
Il am happy to say that l am at lib
erty to go beyond these general propo
sitions, and on behalf of the American
delegation, acting under the instruc-
tions of the President to submit to you
a concrete proposition for an agree
ment for the limitation of naval arma
ment.
1T should be added that this pro
posal Immediately concerns the British
Empire, Japan and the United States
In view of the extraordinary conditions
due to the World War affecting the
existing strength of the navies 0!
France and Italy, it is not thought to
be necessary to discuss at this stage Of
the proceedings the tonnage allowance
Of these nations. But the United States
proposes that this matter be reserved
for the consideration of the Confer
ence.
"In making the present proposal thu
United States is most solicitous tt
deal with the question upon an entire
ly reasonable and practical basis, t.
the end that the just interests of al
shall be adequately guarded, and tina
national security and defense shall b,
maintained
Gives Plan In Detail.
Hughes outlined then how the Amer
ican delegation believes the nava
armament of the world should b.
made, giving in detail just what thi
Government believes each nation
should agree to.
The principal features of the pro
posed agreement, in the words o
Hughes, are as follows:
CAPITAL SHIPS
The United States is now complet
ing it's program of 1916, calling for
new battleships and six battle ship
and six battle cruisers. One battl
ship has been completed. The other
are in various stages of construction
in some cases from so to more thal
80 per cent. of the construction ha
been done. On these Is capital ship
now being built more than $330,0OO,0 90
has been spent. Still the United State
is willing, in the interest Of an in
mediate Limitation of naval armamen
to scrap all these ships.
The United States proposes, if thi
plan is accepted
~ To scrap all capital ships no.
under construction. This includes 81
battle cruisers and seven battleship
on the ways, and in course of buildin,
The total number of new capita
ships thus to be scrapped is Is. Th
total tonnage of the new capital ship
if completed would be 618,OOO TONS
2. To scrap all of the older ba
tleships up to, but not including, tn
Delaware and North Dakota. Th
number Of these old battleships to b
scrapped is Is. Their total tonnag
is 227,74O tons.
Thus the number of capital ships
be scrapped by the United States,
this plan is accepted, is 80, with a
aggregate tonnage Gncluding that {
ships in construction if completely ,
S45,7 ,74O tons.
GREAT BRITAIN AND JAPAN
The plan contemplates that Gre;
Britain and Japan shall take actio
which is fairly commensurate wit
this action on the part of the Unite
States.
1t is proposed that Great Britain
1. Shall stop further constructiG
of the four new hoods, the new capt.
ships not laid down but upon whit