Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-16
The British Proposal.


for a further conference on the limita-
ton of naval ornaments. Sir Esme
Howard, Ambassador to the United
States, made this announcement yes
terday on behalf Of his government.
Americans generally will welcome such
a conference. The United States has
been a pioneer in the movement to limit
ornaments, on the theory that the
world wants peace and . lessening OF
the tax burdens which arise from the
building up of great navies and armies.
The greatest and most successful con-
ference looking to the limitation OF
ornaments ever held In the history OF
the world assembled in Washington
eight years ago at the invitation OF the
late President Harding. The United
States at that time was building the
greatest Navy the world has dreamed
of. With a magnificent gesture, this
country abandoned its naval building
plans and scrapped hundreds of mil
lions of dollars worth of warships. In
some quarters it has been urged that
the gesture of the United States was
more magnificent than sensible. But 1t
was a gesture which thrilled the world
and made for better feeling.
At the washington conference, how
ever, it was found possible to agree
only upon the limitation Of capital
ships, battleships and aircraft carriers.
It Ia true that q limit was placed on
the tonnage Of individual cruisers. But
so far as auxiliary craft are concerned.
the signatory powers were left at lib
erty to construct as many as they might
desire. During the washington con-
ference the American delegation did
its utmost to bring about an agreement
with regard to cruisers, destroyers, sub
marines, ETC., but without success.
Later, also at the initiative of the
American Government, conference
was held in Geneva in an effort to
reach an agreement limiting the total
cruiser tonnage and that Of other kinds
of auxiliary naval craft. 1t failed. The
British were unable to see the conten-
tions of the Americans In regard to
cruisers-their kind and number-and
the Americans could not agree with the
British suggestions.
At the Washington conference the
SIS ratio for the United States,
Great Britain and Japan was estab-
iished with regard to capital ships, and
the representatives of these govern
ments agreed in principle that the same
ratio should apply to auxiliary craft.
But at the Geneva conference there
was o decided difference Of opinion re-
garding the tonnage Of cruisers which
should be established under the pro-
posed agreement.
This latest move on the part of the
British government gives promise OF a
better understanding. 1t comes at the
time the United States has finally de-
termined to construct fifteen new TO-
O0O-ton cruisers and another aircraft
carrier. These cruisers are needed by
the Navy. It is unlikely that this Gov
eminent would agree to abandon their
construction or any part of them in the
event the proposed conference is held
The statement issued by Sir Esme How
ard indicates that the British feel the
United States will continue with the
construction Of these cruisers.
The sooner the powers reach an
agreement with regard to the ratio and
tonnage of auxiliary naval craft the
better. The sooner it is recognized In
this country and in Great Britain that
there is no danger to either in parity m
naval strength between the two great
English-speaking countries the better
When this is accomplished apprehen-
sions existing in each nation regarding
the intentions and purposes of each to
the other will disappear. The friendly
relations between the United States and
Great Britain will always be conducive
| to world peace.