The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-09-28
POWERS HOLD ON
TO ARMAMENTS
SCrapping Of WarshipS Has Been
Halted and Indefinitely
Postponed.
NEAR EAST WAR IS REASON
Instability of Europe in General and
the Fact That Neither France Nor
Italy Has Ratified Agreements
Are Factors.

Washington, Sept. 2G.-Scrapping of
naval ornaments has been halted and
indefinitely postponed, a high naval
official announced here.
This government fears that Great
Britain may find 1t necessary to with
draw from the agreements altogether,
he added
Not until the world gets on a real
peace footing, it was stated, is there a
likelihood that the powers will consent
to weaken their naval strength in any
way.
The factors responsible for this stu
alton are stated as the Near East war,
the instability of Europe in general
and the fact that neither France nor
Italy has ratified the agreements
reached here.
In keeping with the other powers it
was revealed for the first time that the
United States is holding onto her eff
fective naval vessels. The few ships
that are being scrapped, it was de-
clared, are those that are obsolete and
were marked for the scrap heap be-
fore the arms conference met.
Other Powers Fully Armed.
While the other powers are fully
armed it was given as the admlnistra-
ton policy that the United States will
not in any way weaken her defenses.
1t was added that as a leader in seek
ing reduction of armament this gov
eminent regretted tine new develop
ments, but could not lead to the extent
Of scrapping ships before all of the pow
ers actually started scrappng. Even
then, it was pointed out, the navy will
keep fully posted and not scrap any
faster than the others.
In connection with the attitude Of
Great Britain, officials pointed out that
Sir Auckland Geddes British am
bassador, made verbal reservations at
the conference to provide for delay
in making the agreements operative.
The Briton pointed out that while
his country welcomed the opportunity
to get rid of expensive ornaments that
the first consideration must be self-de-
Tense. He intimated that the time
when Great Britain would actually be-
gin to cut down could be accurately
marked by the time that the world
becomes safe.
Sir Auckland called at the White
House and conferred with President
Harding. He said that it was a friend
ly visit to pay his respects Those
close to the administration said, how
ever that he expressed regret that
events had delayed and would indeh-
nltely postpone the date of making the
arms pacts effective
Japan Follows U. S. Plan.
Japan is following the line adopted
by the United States, it was stated A
few of the obsolete ships are being
strapped but the other units of the
navy are being kept in commission.
The six battleships of the Virginia
class are the only ones out Of commits
sion in the United States. These are
the Virginia, Rhode Island, Nebraska,
Georgia and New Jersey.
The Michigan and South Carolina,
the first two dreadnaughts built by the
navy and on their way to the scrap
heap have been turned back The
Connecticut, Vermont, Minnesota and
New Hampshire, also specified for
abandonment, are being retained,
Work on the Colorado and West Vir-
ginla, sister ships Of the Maryland, and
the most powerful in the navy, Is being
rushed, as is construction on the bat
tie cruisers. The most optimistic gov
eminent official would not say when hd
believed It will be possible to begin
reducing naval ornaments.