The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-11-18
NAVAL HOLIDAY
PROPOSED BY u. S.
Opening OF Conference on the
Limitation of Armament
SUSPENSION OF BUILDING
American Secretary OF State Hughes
Outlines Definite Plan For
CurtaIIment OF Sea
Forces.

WaSnlngLOn.-Ine united states, at
the opening Of the Conference, pro,
posed to the world that naval holt
day be declared for the next 10 years
During that time this Government
believes there should be no further
construction of capital ships.
The American program for the lin
ltation Of naval armament was pre-
scented to The Conference on the Lin
itation Of Armament by Secretary Of
State Hughes, head Of the American
delegation. 1t provides:
/. That all capital shipbuilding pro.
grams, either actual or projected,
should be abandoned.
3. That further reduction should be
made through the scrapping Of certain
Of the older ships.
8. That in general regard should be
held to the existing naval strength OF
the powers concerned.
4. That the capital ship tonnage
should be used as the measurement of
strength for navies and proportion
ate allowance Of auxiliary combatant
craft prescribed.
Hughes surprised the Conference by
presenting a concrete proposition for
arms limitation when he accepted its
Craftsmanship. He emphasized that
there is need to take immediate &C.
ton on arms limitation.
''It would also seem to be a vita,
part of a plan for the limitation O.:
naval armament that there should be
q naval holiday" Hughes said. at is
proposed that for a period Of not less
than 10 years there should be nc
further construction Of capital ships.
81 am happy to say that am at lib
erty to go beyond these general propo
sitions, and on behalf Of the American
delegation, acting under the instruc-
tons of the President to submit to you
concrete proposition for an agree
ment for the limitation of naval arma-
ment.
''It should be added that this pro-
posal Immediately concerns the British
Empire, Japan and the United States.
In view of the extraordinary conditions
due to the World War affecting the
existing strength of the navies OF
France and Italy, it is not thought tc
be necessary to discuss at this stage OF
the proceedings the tonnage allowance
of these nations. But the United States
proposes that this matter be reserved
for the consideration of the Confer.
ence.
Elm making the present proposal the
United States is most solicitous TIC
deal with the question upon an entire
ly reasonable and practical basis, tc
the end that the just interests of all
shall be adequately guarded, and that
national security and defense shall be
maintained"
Gives Plan In Detail.
Hughes outlined then how the Amer
lean delegation believes the naval
armament of the world should be
made, giving in detail just what this
Government believes each nation
should agree to.
The principal features of the pro
posed agreement, in the words Of
Hughes, are as follows:
CAPITAL SHIPS
The United States is now complet
ing its program of 1915, calling for II
new battleships and six battle ships
and six battle cruisers. One battle
ship has been completed. The Others
are in various stages of construction
In some cases from so to more thar
80 per cent. of the construction has
been done. On these Is capital ships
now being built more than $3.50 200, OO(
has been spent. Still the United States
is willing, in the interest Of an i'm
mediate limitation of naval armament
to scrap all these ships.
The United States proposes, IL this
plan is accepted
~ TO scrap all capital ships now
under construction. This includes 81,
battle cruisers and seven battleships
on the ways, and in course Of building
The total number of new capita
ships thus to be scrapped is Is. The
total tonnage of the new capital ship.
II completed would be $4,000 tons.
2. To scrap all of the older bat
tleships up to, but not including, the
Delaware and North Dakota. The
number of these old battleships to bt
scrapped is Is. Their total tonnage
is 227,740 tons.
Thus the number Of capital ships t.
be strapped by the United States, Il
this plan Is accepted, is 80, with al
aggregate tonnage (including that o.
ships in construction If completely o.
845,740 tons.
GREAT BRITAIN AND JAPAN
The plan contemplates that Grea
Britain and Japan shall take actor
which is fairly commensurate will
this action on the part of the United
States.
1t is proposed that Great Britain
l. Shall stop further construction
Of the four new hoods, the new capita