The Mankato free press., 1921-12-30
DISCUSS LIMIT FOR
.AIRPLANECARRIERS
Various Subjects Before
Naval Committee
MAJOR NAVY PLAN OFF
France, Italy and Japan Again
Considering Submersibles,
Auxiliary Tonnage
IAssociated Press Dispatch. ]

OF Frances action before the
Washington armament conference
in refusing to accept an allotment
I of submarines of less than 10000
tons was printed in the London
newspapers today under captions
indicating disappointment. Edi-
torial comment, however, was
scanty.
Washington. D. c., December 20
The major plan to limit the tonnage of
the five powers in subms-ines and
auxiliary warships having been def
nitely abandoned the naval committee
of the arms conference was prepared
to resume today its discussions OF
collateral subjects upon which pro-
Sposals were offered yesterday by the
American delegates. First to be con-
sidered today, it is understood, were
the proposals placing limit OF 10000
tons on any auxiliary vessel to be
constructed by the powers and limit
of q 900 tons on airplane carriers.
Great Britain alone agreed to the
first proposal when it was presented
yesterday after the effort to limit ma :
val strength in submarines and aux
iliary ships had been abandoned in
the face of the French announcement
fixing a limit of 10000 tons in sub
mersibles and $4,000 in auxiliary
craft for that country. The French
Italians, and Japanese all announced
that they would have to await in
structions before deciding on the pro-
posed 10000 ton limit for all craft
below the capital ship class. The
French hoped to be in a position to
announce their decision today. The
American proposal regarding airplanes
carriers also provided a tonnage limi-
tation for the several powers in that
briefly yesterday without commit
ment by any of the delegations.
The French Proposal.
Another development of yesterday s
momentous committee session-the
French proposal that their country be
permitted to begin replacement of
capital ship tonnage in 1927. four
years before the termination of the
e proposed ten year holiday-was being
considered today by naval experts of
the other powers. In most quarters
reservation to Frances definite ac-
ceptance of the 175.000 ton capital
ship ratio, was not regarded as likely
to endanger in any way the capital
ship agreement but it ws character
lied by Mr.. Balfour in the committee
session as serious interference
with the holiday plan.
More To Be Heard On Submarines.
The plain spoken exchange between
Arthur ]. Balfour and M. Sarraut,
heading the French delegation, over
the possibilities Of future war be-
tween France and the British empire
following presentation of the French
program in submarines and auxiliary
ships yesterday, was the subject OF
animated discussion everywhere in
conference circles today. The state
ment Of the British delegation head
that he would reserve full expression
on the submarine issue until it "comes
ND before a house conference" made
It appear certain that more would he
heard of it before adjournment of the
conference.
Aircraft Report Ready
Unlimited construction of aircraft
but sharp delimitation of their use in
wartime are understood to be embod
Z led in recommendations decided upon
by the sub committee on aviation OF
me. armament conference. The re.
port of the sub committee was said
to be ready for presentation to the
meeting of the land armaments COM
mittee called for three p. m. today.
Naval experts Of the arms confer
ence are preparing to take up the
capital ship replacement program as
soon as the naval committee reaches
point that will permit it to turn to
the subject. A preliminary meeting of
the experts was scheduled for late
today after the naval committee ad-
journed
French Acceptance Still Hinges
- French acceptance of the 175,000
ton limitation on capital ships still
hinges, according to M. Sarraut s
formal statement to the naval COM
mittee, on agreement as to details in
regard to the ten year naval holi-
day and also on determination of the
period Of years for which the tonnage
limitation agreement is to run. He
indicated that France desired to te-
gin in 1927, four years before the end
of the ten year naval holiday. con-
struction Of such capital ships as
might be necessary to replace units
In her fleet which will have passed
the twenty year mark by 1881.
II this suggestion is accomplished
the actual period of the holiday would
be cut to six years as under the ori-
ginal American proposal no building
was to be started until the full ter
years has elapsed.
Many Things Might Happen
Naval officials have realized how