The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-11-24
Conference May Agree on Naval
Armament Reduction Plan
Within a Few Weeks.
HUGHES PROGRAM APPROVED
Suggested Minor Notifications Are
Being Discussed-china Pleads for
Recognition as Independent Ma
tion-League Council oets A.
ter the Serbs-Progress on
Tax Revision Bill.
By EDWARD w. PlCkARD.

TT APPEARS that the prophets In
L Washington were all wrong. The
great conference seemingly is going to
reach and sign an agreement on limita-
ton of naval armament without waiting
to settle the problems Of the Pacific
and the Far East. This tendency is
result of Secretary Hughes down.
right action In laying before the con-
ference In its first session the Amer
lean proposal as to navies. Briefly,
that proposal Is that the United
States, Great Britain and Japan agree
to suspend naval construction for ten
years. and during the succeeding ten
years build only for replacement; that
all uncompleted capital ships and
many other specified capital ships be
strapped at once; that the aggregate
capital ship tonnage be limited to 500,-
600 each for England and America,
and 100000 for Japan; that the sea
power OF the three nations be main
tanned on this basis. There are other
features Of the program, but every
one Is familiar with 1t by this time.
The conference, and the world, were
at first astounded by this unexpected
laying Of the American cards on the
table, and then the plan was greeted
with loud and universal acclaim. The
delegates Of the other nations could
not, If they would, refuse to indorse
1t, and at the second open session
Great Britain, Japan, Italy and
France, formally accepted 1t 'in prin-
ciple," with minor notifications
These, as set forth then and later,
were as follows:
BY Great Britain-Limit size and
tonnage of submarines; permit con-
struction Of one capital ship a year
during ten-year period to retain ship
yard facilities; permit retention of
more light cruisers and gunboats to
police the high seas; reduction in
number Of naval ship building yards.
BY Japan-Increase Of Japan's ma
val strength to 20 per cent Of British
and American; cessation Of construc-
ton Of naval bases and new fortifica-
tons In the Pacific.
BY France-Allowance of eight cap
ital ships to safeguard French col
onies.
BY Italy-Allowance Of six capital
ships to protect Italian interests.
A committee Of which Col. Theo-
dore Roosevelt is chairman. set to
work at once to study the plan and
proposed notifications, and by the end
OF the week 1t was predicted an agree
ment would be reached within two or
three weeks. Among the American
experts there was considerable Oppo-
sition TO the British suggestions,
and the Engllshmen dropped the idea
OF one battleship year.
Japan's proposition that there be no
more naval bases or Notifications con-
structed In the Pacific was expected,
and perhaps proves bit awkward
for the United States. 1t means the
abandonment Of work and plans In
the Philippines, Dutch Harbor and
elsewhere which have been considered
most necessary for the safety of our
possessions I'm the Pacific IL not for
thai. Of our Pacific coast. But IL Mr..
Hughes general program Ia accepted
by the other powers IL would seem
the United States cannot well decline
to accept this plan Of Japan. In the
ship-scrappng proposal America has
been most unselfish and perhaps she
can afford to be as generous In other
matters.
yITHEN the time came to put for
w ward plans for settlement Of
the problems Of the Far East none
OF tho great mowers spemad ready