Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-11-17
ENJOYS STUNNED
BY HUGHES Plan
Would Junk Sixty-SK Ships and
Stop Building Until
1881.
MEANS IMMEDIATE ECONOMY
United States to Equal Britain In New
Craft, Japan to Rank Third
s26o,ooo,ooo Saved Public
at Once.

Washington, Nov. IA radical re-
ductlon and strict limitation of naval
armament by the chief naval powers
was proposed by the United States
right off the bat" at the opening of
the international conference here.
Actually before the delegates were
aware of what was happening Secre-
tary 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 tor
rent of applause.
Huge Saving From the Start.
II is pointed out that the proposals
mean in the direct, immediate matter
of economy to the American people a
saving of $260O00,00O through the
scrapping of the 10 capital ships now
building. 1t would cost that sum to
complete them. Already $500, 100000
has been spent on them.
Moreover, there would be a total an
nual saving of S200,000000 in main
tenance of the 80 capital ships, built
and building, which 1t is proposed to
junk.
Also II would be possible to man the
navy with 10000 instead of 10000
men.
Here's the American Plan.
The American proposals summarized
follow:
l. 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 strapped at once.
3. All building programs, either ac-
tual or projected, to be abandoned at
once.
4. The sea power of the three ma
tons 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-fifths the tonnage
Of either of the others
8. The capital ship to be the unit Of
measurement of naval strength and a
proportionate allowance of auxiliary
craft to be prescribed.
Size of RepIacements.
6. The size of the capital ships built
for replacement shall be limited to 25.-
600 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
Japan.
Z. Auxiliary cruisers and destroyers,
the keels OF which have been already
laid. to be completed, but requirements
to be on basis Of maximum 450 900
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.
Q. 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 old. cruisers IT
years old, and destroyers and sub
marines IL 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.
II. Conversion of merchant marine
to warships TO be regulated by agree
ment.
10. No ships to be built for or dis
posed of 10 other nations.
The United States having shown its
hand, It Is now up to Great Britain ana
Japan to play theirs. The American
delegation has presented what II re-
CARDS and Is prepared 10 defend as
feasible reduction Of the burden of ex.
pense Of maintaining naval armament.
British Approve Idea, Belief.
The indications are that the British
regard the plan In outline with great
favor, but will have some suggestions
to make as TO details.
The Japanese are inclined to be more
reserved, their viewpoint suggesting
that Japan cannot afford to accept the
naval limitation proposed unless there