Evening star., 1921-11-07
Decide All Nations Must Give
Up Equivalents in Cut
ting Their items.
PRESENT RATIO IN SHIPS
WOULD BE MAINTAINED
America Shall Not Be Placed in
Weaker Position Than She
Is at Present.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

naval armament has been practically
agreed upon. The details remain 10
be shaped-the fundamentals are
clear. They are:
First. For every naval item given up
by the United States there shall be
an equivalent given up by other ma
Second. The present ratio Of nava,
strength shall be maintains, ,am "a nnt nt
sense that the United States shall no.
be placed in a weaker position to"a.o
other powers than she is at the Hlo-
ment-
Definition of Terms.
Third. The British having accepted
the principle of equality WIN 'He ~,
United States, the disparity ~,
strength between the two naVies snoiA
at least not be increased. -.
Fourth. the phrase Limitation OF OF
armament. is held to mean tnas az
fhe nations shall be permitted 70
finish the building programs Wn1ch
they have already authorlzea. =
that vessels still In commission put
growing obsolete shall be scrappeo
and the tax burden reduced by an
agreement not to replace these shlps,
but to economize by eliminating the
expense of keeping up old vessels.
Fifth, a definite understanding by
all powers as to exactly what is meant
by the term replacement Win re-
spect to vessels now In hrst-class
condition, but which may eventually
become inferior in value 10 new types
of naval craft which may be designed
in the future.
Merchant Marine Considered.
Sixth. In considering naval strength
there shall be included merchant
marine and all auxiliary vessels which
can be possibly converted into war
ships in an emergency. as Wen as al
bases fortified and unfortihed: wniGr
could be used in naval operations. IN
reducing armament expense. II Is
essential to consider the millions OF
dollars which are spent annaaay 70
maintain naval bases and repair sta
tions at remote points. This question
is most acute IN rpnuaction with a
possible naval conflict in the Pacihc.
where bases are quite as important
as the number of naval vessels>avah-
able for a theoretical war.
The foregoing principles as & wosaeS sse
out by our naval experts. have been
given to the American delegation con-
sistins of Secretary Hughes, Senators
Lodge and Underwood and former
Senator Root. They are basic leads.
but, of course. no single plan can pc
Ali CONTINGENCIES. It is up to the four
members Of the American delegation
to determine Just how far each prin-
ciple can be applied. The navy is
really presenting alternative plans.
One plan may be predlcated on
putes in the far east Another plan
may be predicated on an absolute
agreement with reference to forti-
fications. The Navy is furnishing all
its ideas to the American delegation,
relying upon the latter to use tnose
principles as the discussion develops
Public Opinion Opposed.
Thus far it would seem as II the
naval men would like to see limitation
carried out literally by permitting the
completion of existing programs, but
many of them realize that this VIII
not satisfy American public opinion.
. which has hoped the conference would
not merely bring about an equilibrium
as between navies, but which would
actually reduce the annual expense
Reduction Of armament involuntartly
becomes the objective and the real
problem of the naval expert is to
evolve a plan which will reduce ex-
pense by eliminating the superfuous
parts of navy without altering its
main fighting strength.
When the American program, how
ever, is finally develcprd after the
discussions nave already begun, II
would not be surprising to see the
American delegation feel it's way to-
Wal " IuA Ihh0a ASNASs1oA
even presenting proposals for radical
cutting of naval programs now under
construction. This is at this time
merely conjecture. The American
delegation is preparing moderate
program to lay before the conference.
hoping eventually to modify and still
further reduce expense.
Other Powers Must Agree.
\The Navy Department considers its
function to keep the American dele
cation advised at to how far the
Navy can be reduced consistent with
domestic safety" But the American
delegation. which has the RESPONSE
bility of making Americas policy at
the conference, must first obtain as
surances and explicit agreements
concerning the willingness of the
other powers to make equivalent re-
ductions in expense. The conference
will not be single nations affair.
1t depends for success on co-opera-
ticn America will not limit her ar
mament alone, nor will she reduce 1t
alone. All must agree to practical
measures, which are SO definitely de-
scribed as to leave no loophole for
international misunderstanding. That's
the trend of policy in the preliminary
discussions which now are in prog
reSs.
Copyright. 1921