Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-11-18
HUGHES REVEALS
NAVAL POLICY
Would Junk Sixty-SiK Ships and
Stop Building Until
Year 1881.
MEANS IMMEDIATE ECONOMY
United States to Equal Britain in New
Craft, Japan to Rank Third
$3.50, 100000 Saved Public
at Once.

Washington, Nov. 14.-Sweeping re-
duction of the present naval arma-
ments. and stern limitation to follow,
by Great Britain, Japan and the
United States, was the proposition laid
before the International conference
here by Secretary Hughes 1t is a
concrete proposal to abandon construc
ton of capital ships now being built
and to scrap scores of old fighting
ships involving nearly 100000 tons in
the United States, British and Japan
csc navies, lifted the opening session
of the disarmament-Pacific 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
senators, who occupied one balcony,
and the representatives, who were in
another, simultaneously arose as Mr..
Hughes concluded presentation of the
reduction program and loosed 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 $26O,OOO,OO0 through the
scrapping of the Is capital ships now
building. It would cost that sum to
complete them. Already 1892, 100000
has been spent on them.
Here's the American Plan.
The American proposals summarized
follow:
1. 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 scrapped at once.
g. All building programs, either ac-
tual or projected, to be abandoned at
once.
4. The sea power of the three ma
lions to be maintained on a basis of a
tonnage parity between the American
and. the British navies and of a Jap
anese navy of three-ifths the tonnage
of either of the others.
measurement Of naval strength and
proportionate allowance of auxiliary
craft to be prescribed.
Size of requirements.
6. The size of the capital ships built
for replacement shall be limited to 25,-
900 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
I Japan.
Z. Auxiliary cruisers and destroyers,
the keels Of which have been already
laid, to be completed, but requirements
to be on a basis of a maximum 10000
tons each for England and the United
States and 100000 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
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.
10. Only capital ships and airplane
carriers 20 years DID, cruisers II
years old, and destroyers and sub
marines II years old may be replaced.
No Limit on Naval Aircraft.
IL. Limitation of naval aircraft
deemed impracticable because of easy
converting of commercial aircraft to
war uses.
IL. Conversion of merchant marine
to warships to be regulated by agree
ment.
49, No ships to be built for or dis
posed of to other nations.