The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-06-01
CONGRESS MUST
ADJUST POWER
Of NAVAL Guns
New Angle of Treaty to
Come Before N e KIT
Session; 5-5-3 Ratio Is
Not Actual.

Washington.-(Special correspond
ence) Among the questions which
the next session OF congress will have
before it will be that of determining
whether the United States shall cx-
pend $6.s0OOOO in alterations on Is
OF our baiileships for the purpose Of
increasing the range OF the guns on
those ships by about 5000 yards. Con-
grcss al lis last session made such an
appropriation but it having been said
that this appropriation was made un-
der a misapprehension as TO certain
facts. the navy department has not ex-
pended the money II is the present
understanding that the money will not
be expended for that purpose until
congress has had an opportunity once
more to review the facts.
1t appears that in the British navy
there is one ship whose guns have a
range of $4,000 yards and p ships with
a range of $4,000 yards. The Ameri- /
can navy has vessels with a $4,000 /
yard range and Is with 2l,0O0 yard 4
range 1t is reported that French and |
Japanese ships are to undergo changes
which will give the naval guns of these
nations a range of 5000 yards greater
than our own.
When an official of the navy depart
ment explained to a congressional COM
mittee the disadvantage under which ?
the American navy rests as compared
with that of Great Britain. he made
the erroneous statement that the range
of the British guns had been increased I
to the present standard since the sign
ing of the limitation of ornaments n
treaty Whether the change was made Il,
before or after the signing of the n
teaty is wholly immaterial for the II
treaty does not make any stipulations il
as to the range OF guns The treaty
fixed the tonnage of the capital ships e.
Of the two powers. and made other re- a
;trictions. all for the single purpose of ii
,qualizing their battleship fleets. y
Ii is apparent however that the two II
,apital fleets are not now equal because r,
IF the greater range of the guns of
he British fleet Neither will the stip- o.
Hated ratio of capital naval strength a,
is between the United States and ia o,
IAN be maintained if Japan increases |
he range of her guns and the United III
,tates does not n,
Because there was misstatement TO 70
he congressional committee regarding or
he time when Great Britain increased
ne range of her guns. and because of Of;
ne desire of the administration to m;
void even the appearance of restor-
lion of dreadnaught competition, il
as decided not to expend the money
,propriated for alterations in our cap
al ships. The question will be once
ore placed before congress. probably
it'll the recommendation that the APP
opriation be again authorized. with a :
ew to establishing and maintaining GET
c big ships of the American. British mo
ID Japanese navies on not only a the arr
etical but practical 5-5-5 basis as he
by the treaties negoti- Dire
I'd at the Washington conference his
Even if Congress shall approve the "
walton of the gun ranges, the Unit of
States cannot be accused of COM Ru
tition in general naval strength with pre-
y other country. Great Britain has +
vast superiority to us in the matter "Ol
light cruisers, while the French ma tire
is rapidly developing her submar- bac
S. Japan, too. has more sea-going Mic