Evening star., 1921-11-15
OBJECTIONS FAIL !
| To: move AMERICA
U. S. Delegates Still Hold go
Per Cent Program Pos
sibIe and Logical.
BY JUNIUS b. WOOD.

Objections by Great Britain as well
! as Japan to certain important de-
tails of the American plan for naval
can delegates to change their opinion
that the so per cent program is both
possible and logical.
stress is laid by those responsible
Tor the American so per cent pro-
gram on the fact that though the
,oenents OF future world peace will be
mutually enjoyed by the three naval
lnwers. the United States is making
Ii Pre sacrifices to secure it than are
e.lher of the other two. The con-
te et1on that the United States Is in
sat rihces is met by the reply that she
is :uso in a better condition to con-
.tlnue big. navy program. In the
present economic condition Of Japan,
a. continuation of its~S-S program
might bankrupt the empire. Equally
for Great Britain, though relief from
the expensive burden Of further bat
riesh'p building would be cordially
welcomed.
Fears Worthless Yards.
The stagnation which the PROPOSED
ten year naval holiday would cause
in the shipbuilding industry is dread
.. goes
further into details and protests that
her shiPyards would be dust covered
and worthless if closed for ten wears
Japans schedule OF prospective ships
to complete her eight-eight program
shows them allotted to different nri-
vate builders. sufficient to guarantee
them with work for several years to
come. Though it is purely a domestic
affair for Sapan, the government has
actually made such guarantee to the
yards. and is facing the prospect of
paying heavy indemnities to her shin
building corporations If the contra cts
are Cancelled. 1t is not to be exnected
that the shipbuilders in either of the
three countries are enthusiastic over
the 80 per cent program.
Less ChnnEes Needed.
Considerable less special machinery
and equipment are needed to convert a
navy building plant into merchant
man building plant than is required to
make change in the other direction
There Is nothingsin the 60 per cent
program which limits the number OF
merchantmen which any nation shall
nave on the seas or the number its
shEpyards shall launch. 1t may build
all for which there is any demand.
In respect to the decentralization of
the stnpbuilding industry. it is not be
lieved that America is in any better
position than either of the other two
nations.
While Japanese hearts are aching
over the suggestion that the Mutsu
the latest and greatest in world su-
'perdreadnaughts. be scrapped the
Colorado, which was to cost $50, ,OOO
600 on 10 per cent plus cost con
tract. is so per cent completed and
would be in commission in i few
months. Practically all the equip
ment to complete her has been con
tracted for and delivered. The only
saving by stopping wo,k on the
Colorado will be a comparatively
small labor cost. The West Virginia
is 20 per cent toward completion
The saving.by stopping work on her
will be slightly more anu the loss
from scrapping her somewhat less
than from the Colorado.
Considered Fair by United States.
1t is true that without the Mutsu
which was to go into commission
next month. japan will have only
the dreadnaught Nagato with an ar
mament of 16-inch guns. America has
the Maryland. Great Britain has ten
dreadnaughts and three battle cruis-
ers with .15-inch guns. The. largest