The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-01
NEWS REVIEW OF
: CURRENT EVENTS
Three Divergent Schemes
for Naval Limitation
Offered at Geneva.
BY EDWARD W. PIckARD

i
THREE great powers, in conference
l. at Geneva, through their repre-
sentatives, for the purpose of devils
ing further Limitation of naval arma-
ment, are considering three widely
divergent plans, and If they get to-
gether on any scheme it will be only
by making big concessions and after
long debate. The initial positions of
the three powers may be succinctly
stated thus:
United States-Extension of the
5-5-3 ratio to all warships, with def
mite tonnage limits for cruisers, de-
stroyers and submarines.
Great Britain--Further limitation
of battleships, reduction In size and
armament of both capital ships and
cruisers and extension of the 5-5-3
ratio to 1O,0O0-ton cruisers, but no.
mention of application to anxiliaries.
Japan--A naval holiday on the basis
Of the status quo, and ban on battle
ship construction.
Ambassador Hugh Gibson opened the
conference and presided as chairman
because it was called by President
Coolidge. In submitting the Ameri-
can plan he suggested the following
ALLEGATION of tonnage:
Cruisers-United States and Great
Britain, 100000 tons; Japan, 10000
tons.
Destroyers - United States, and
Great Britain, 100000 tons, Japan,
10000 tons. Sa
Submarines United States and
Great Britain, 10000 tons japan. a.
COO tons, .-tssss,4ss.ss s.,.ss
In polite Terms, -Mr.AGibsOn limited.
that if an agreement among the pow
ers for naval limitation was not
reached, the United States, was, pre-
pared to resort to an extensive build
ing program.
According TO American experts,
adoption of the British plan would
enable England in time of war to
swamp the American fighting ships
through utilization of her mercantile
marine as auxiliary cruisers; her big
passenger liners would be capable of
carrying airplanes. and transporting
troops as well as mounting 6-inch
guns. In the Japanese proposal to
found joker in the fact that Japan
possesses considerable more cruisers
and destroyers in commission or ca
pable of utilization than the United
States and the legalization of this
strength would place Japan just be-
low Great Britain and above Amer
lea for these categories.
Admiral Sir Frederick Field, British
delegate, explained the British point
of view. He declared Great Britain
requires more light cruiser and de-
stroyer tonnage than any other power
because England relies on its food
supply from overseas and also for
marketing the dominions' products and
safeguarding the long routes of COM
munications.
All this was set forth at length
when the proposals were turned over
to committee of expert technicians
who were instructed to try to find a
common ground for discussion. The
British claim to greater tonnage of
light craft was supported by elaborate
charts showing how England's trade
routes and lines of communication
criss-cross every body of navigable
water on the globe. ana
Naval experts in Washington openly
attacked both the British and Jap
anese plans, and their view was
shared by Congressman Britten of Illi-
nois, ranking member of the house
committee on naval affairs. Mr.. Brit
ten predicted that failure of the
Geneva conference will result in in
creased naval building by the United
States but this view is not shared by
Senator Borah, chairman of the senate
foreign relations committee. Mr..
Borah feels there is little likelihood
of the conference achieving real re-
suits, but that even if it does fail, this
government will not enter upon a
large building program.