Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-03-30
|MODERNIzING PLAN
MAY VIOLATE PACT
Departments Program Likely
to be Target Of Attack
PROPERTY is QUESTIONED
-
England Makes Diseiaimer-chsIrman
Madden Intimstes House VIII
Oppose Treaty
Evasion.
PROPERTY IS QUESTIONED

Washington. Interpretation OF tne
5-5-3 naval ratio negotiated at the
Washington Arms Conference gives
promise Of being live subject In the
next Congress unless the State and
Navy Departments smooth out in the
meantime the tangle over the navys
battleships nnodernization plan.
Those who fought the plan in the
last Congress, on the ground that the
United States proposed to violate at
least the spirit of the treaty by
strengthening the older capital ships,
found their ranks strengthened by
Chairman Madden of the Appropria-
tions Committee. who declared he be
lieved the work would be out Of hsr-
mony with the agreement.
Mr.. Madden said that when the
House appropriated ss,50O,OOO for the
work ii stipulated that the Navy De-
partment should definitely establish
its right under the treaty to embark
on its program. Navy officers at
that time. he said. stressed the
strengthening Of older ships by
Great Britain and Japan, and as
serted that there would be no viola
tion of the treaty in the plans Of the
Navy Department
Inasmuch as Great Britain has de-
MED modernization work attributed to
her navy, however, the whole subject
has resolved into one Of treaty inter
probation, with the State Department,
even IL 1t desired an exchange Of
views, faced with the fact that final
ratification has not been accomplished
by all Of the signatorles.
Meanwhile. with s6,500,O00 available,
the United States is faced with the
alternative of holding up its program
or setting precedent under the
treaty at least so far as the Ameri-
ean-British ratio is concerned. Infor-
nation on Japanese naval improve
ments is rather hazy.
Chairman Madden has announced
that in view Of the British disclaimer
he would protest against the expendi-
ture Of the money appropriated by
Congress for battleship work. on the
ground that the action had been takeE
under the theory that other govern
ments had already strengthened their
fleets in similar way. A determined
fight developed in the House at the
time the appropriation was authorized,
a group Of members asserting that a
treaty violation was contemplated.
When Chairman Butler. Of the
House Naval Committee brought in
bill to authorize the expenditure he
offered an amendment to the commit
tee draft. making the work subject
to the terms Of the treaty"
After consultation with my col
leagues and members of the House.
said MI Butler. Il have offered this
amendment, and | hope the House
will be willing to accept It. 1t seems
there is some doubt in the minds OF
some members whether or not we
are in any way violating the terms
of the treaty we made by authorize.
ing the Navy Department to improve
the ships which we are now allowed
to maintain.
We were assured by the Secretary
of the Navy that this work that was
to be put upon these ships would not
be in violation OF the terms of the
treaty and not even in violation OF
its spirit"
With naval officers who aided in
the preparation of data on which the
5-5-3 ratio was based insisting that
regardless of the British disclaimer
the right of this Government to re
model her feet must be conceded, con
ferences are continuing between the
State and Navy Departments, with
members of Congress and the Diplo
matte Corps watching with keen in
terest,