New-York tribune., 1922-12-14
Huge Cruiser, Submarine
and Aircraft Programs
Abroad Must Stop or Be
Met, Says House Report
Want Pacts Made
Year Ago Extended
Britain, France, Japan,
Italy Included; Action
Surprises White House

WASHINGTON, Dec. i3 (By The
Associated Press). - Blunt notice
that tho United States cannot avoia
a new naval program IN swift cruk-
ers and feet submarines unloes
treaty limitations arc extended 70
such craft was served by the HOUSE
Appropriations Committee to-day ir
reporting the s299,sOe,53s naval ap-
preparation bill. A six line pro-
vision placed in the bill by the com.
mittee requested President Harding
10 negotiate with Great Britain,
France, Japan and Italy for such an
extensich Of the treaty, limitation
Of aircraft 10 be included.
The committee report said large
cruiser and submarine programs
were planned abroad, adding:
"In other words, competition Is or
again in the single direction b.
which the unratifed agreement (the
Washington naval treaty. does not
extend, and il It be allowed to 60
on unchecked the purse strings
again must be relaxed and this gov
ernment, like all others, will be con
strained 10 launch a new program 10
the exteEt necessary 10 keep US at
least abreast Of any Of the other
powers"
Surprise TO White House
President Harding was not consulted
by the committee with relation. 70 rs
limitation conference request The
project for negotiaiions apvsrentiT
cane ~ a surprise even 20 naval OH
eiais. Il was originated BY Chairman
Kelley Of the Naval Appropriation
sub-commlttee.
Tire chief reason prompting Nr. Kei'
ley 10 propose q new naval conference
was understood 10 have been the light
cruiser program recommended by the
Navy General Board. No mention Of
this Is included In the published copies
Of committee hearings on the BILL The
program urged, however, as necessary
TO keep the United States Navy on q
parity with other nayies In cruisers in-
cluded sixteen new light cruisers with
In the i0,000-ton size limitation Of The
Washington treaty, 20 cost Sl6S,0Q0,0oo.
Foreign Reports Suppressed
The committee also eliminated from
It's published hearings testimony o.
naval intelligence officers on the pro
gram Of construction abroad, Presum-
ably It was this information and the
recommendations as 10 new construc-
tion made by the general board which
prompted the attempt 10 check post
treaty competitive building through
diplomatic negotiations.
Administration officials who wers
closest 20 the Washington arms confer
ence deliberations expressed the view
tonight that there appeared little IKE
lihood Of success for new negotiations
TO limit in accordance with the "b-e-s'
or some other ratio the size Of cruiser
and submarine fleets.
The conference, Il was pointed out,
in prolonged discussions had found no
basis Of agreement possible on these
points or as to lighting airplanes. The
French position at the conference ~
opposition 10 limiting submarine fleets,
Il was added. brought speeihe resor-
yation by British delegates OF the right
to build anti-submarine craft such as
liQht cruisers and destroyors without
restriction, save as 20 the maximum
size Of cruisers. 10000 tons, and limitn
ton of the maximum size % guns they
could cary TO s-inch weapons.
To Moderernize Battleshlps
In addition 70 the new cruiser pro
gram, the committee Is known TO have
been Informed Of the general boards
recommendation that q start be made
on undermining the pre-Jut.and battle
ship OF the navy, the point being made
that Great Britain has already remCd-
eIled 10 a large extent 10 increase gun
range and deck protection her capital
ships 10 be retained under the treaty.
The American modernization project
would cost In the noighborhood OF
$50, 900 900, Il has been estimated. Lack
ing such remodelling work, American
1t-inch gun ships would remain out
ranged BY otherwise similar but mod
ernized British ships by five mhcsi
navy officers have declared.
Faced with this double prospect Of
heavy naval expenditures soon, Chair.
man Kelley turned 10 the precedent Of
the accepted capital ship treaty. ratio
In search Of way 10 avoid such out
lays.
Appeal 10 President
The request 10 the President was
placed at the very end Of the hfty-hys'
page naval bill. II reads.
@The President is roquestedto 70 enter
into negotiations with the government.
OF Great Britain, France, Italy ond
Japan, With the view 81 reaching an
understanding or agreement relative 20
limiting nc construction OF All types
and eizes OF sub-surfaca and surfaee
craft Of 10000 tons standard displace'
ment or less, and Of aircraft"
The suggestion was made BY some
members OF the House that tho pars.
graph might be subject 90 a point OF
order, and hence 90 cut In the House
Il was Indicated, however, that thefe
was O, ~ reason to believe the senate
would put Il back into the bill, which,
In the share Of q conference report
would bring Il before the House, 70 be
voted up or down.
II was claimed By committee frisnds
Of tho Kelley proposal that the saying
In capital ship expenditures under the
arms treaty would be more than Offset
In tho building Of lighter vessels Of q