The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-12-21
WORLD PARLEY To
HALT NAVAL RACE
Huge Cruiser, Submarine and
Aircraft Programs Abroad
Must Stop or Be Met.

washington.-Ano international
conference for the limitation OF all
auxiliary war vessels and aircraft.
. addition 10 the capital ships pro
Tided in the 1--WE power naval treaty
IS demanded in the navy appropria-
don bill reported in the House.
The provision calling for the con
terence, as inserted in the bill oy the
Appropriations Committee, reads
THE President is requested to en-
ter into negotiations with the govern
ments OF Great Britain. France, italy
and Japan. with the view OF reaching
N understanding or agreement reia-
I've to limiting the construction oil ali
types OF subsurface and surface craft
of 10000 tons standard displacement
or less, and OF aircraft"
The four Powers mentioned are
those which participated in the Wash
lngton conference. which drafted the
S-5-3 ratio for capital ships.
President Harding was not consult
"a By the committse with relation to
lta limitation conference request The
project for negotiations apparently
tame as q surprise even to naval Of
icials.
The determination TO move for an
- -uufoonn. q, uaa iaa rnad waa
prompted by three considerations
arising out OF secret Information
yiven to the committee by officers OF
the Naval Intelligence Service during
the hearings on the navy bill They
we're:
1. That the foreign nations en-
braced within the Five-Power Treaty,
notably Japan and Great Britain, are
building cruisers. submarines and air
craft at such rates as will nullify the
relative strength contemplated under
the 5-5-s ratio within a short time.
2. That unless the existing limita-
ton agreement is ratified and broad
ened to cover the smaller types OF
war craft and aircraft, the United
States must enter upon an .AleasirJ
building program, or surrender any
hope of attaining the contemplated
equality with Great Britain and even
see Japan go far ahead OF her in
actual lighting strength on the seas.
3. That the United States would
never consent to Japan gaining su.
periority to her on the ocean, and,
therefore, the question is one OF bring
ing about a limitation agreement as
proposed or merely changing the
character of naval competition, with
out lessening the financial burden or
removing the danger which some
claim goes along with a race for naval
supremacy
The secret evidence submitted to
the Appropriations Committee by the
Naval Intelligence officers showed
that Japan has under way a program
tor construction of the smaller types
Of war craft permitted under the Five
Power pact that will cost as much or
more than her famous S-S-S capital
ship program that was terminated by
the 5-5-3 ratio
Fifteen cruisers Of 10000 tons-the
limit in size permitted by the treaty
are now being built by Japan. II was
testified. Virtually all of these ships
we're projected since the Washington
conference and are to be equipped
with the latest offensive and de.
tensive weapons aud devices.
The United States has only ten Of
these vessels provided for, and all Of
these we're under construction when
the washington conference met
Completion of al the City ships
permitted under the Five Power Naval
Treaty. except the two converted air
craft carriers. BY July !. 1924, Is con
templated in the Navy Appropriation
bin reported TO The house.
The physical work on the carriers
can not be duished within that period
members OF the Appropriations Com
mittee have stated