Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-27
CRUISER DELAY !.
HINGES ON FARLEY
Work on Plans Progresses,
However, Pending Result
of London Conference.
Underwood Photo.


BY the Associated Press.
Secretary Adams said today that the
keels of the three cruisers whose con-
President Hoover last Summer will in
no event be laid until after the London
armament conference in January.
Advised of reports that the Navy was
proceeding with construction of these
ships despite the Presidents order and
contrary to the understanding of the
situation abroad, the Secretary said Mr..
Hoover was fully aware Of every stem
that had been taken by the Navy in
regard to the cruisers.
Because of the lengthy time required
to prepare plans, build guns and as
Ssmble materials for the warShips, the
Navy has proceeded to get everything
in readiness for their construction.
Members of Congress who guided the
l5-cruiSer building program through the
House and Senate have expressed the
opinion that under the act the laying
OF the keels could be held up to the
very end of the current fiscal year
ending June 80 next. Further DELAY,
they have said, would have to be au-
thorized by Congress.
Japans Demand Lauded.
favorable reaction was noted in
informed circles here to the Japanese
demand. according to press dispatches
from Toxic, for naval reduction In place
OF mere limitation It is believed such
a demand will be incorporated in
Japan's program at the Forthcoming
London conference.
hn
however. were received with mixed feel
ings. State Department oficials, in
the absence of Secretary Stimson. de-
clined TO comment on the other da-
mands which, 1t was reported, would
be put forward by the Japanese dele
CATION in London.
Believe Question Should Wait.
The general attitude was that the
whole question, so far as the United
states and Japan are concerned. shonld
await the conversations between the
Japanese delegates and President Hoo
yer. Secretary Stimson and the mem
oerG OF the American delegation when
the japanese arrive here next month en-
route to the conference.
american naval circles did not look
with PARTICULAR favor upon the re-
ports that the Japanese would include
III tnelr program q parity basis In
submarines between the United States.
Great Britain and Japan, with a total
OF 10000 tons for each. and that the
Japanese would ask a ratio of 1O-lO-7
between American and British cruisers
with 8-inch guns and similar ships of
the Japanese navy.
These two points, it was remarked.
az considerably at variance with the
y quest of the Japanese at the tri-
Eartite conference of 1927. At that
time the japanese stated their Subma-
rine needs to be in the neighhorhood
OF 10000 tons and. so far as 8-inch-
gun cruisers we're concerned, they did
not expect any construction in this
class of ship before December 81, 1886.
Ratio Has Been Discussed.
The question Of a 1O-lO-7 ratio
among the American, British and jap
anese navies has been discussed by
Ambassador Debuchi OF Japan with
State Department officials The jap
anese at the naval conference two years
ago placed their auxiliary ship neeos
at figure which would establish
ratio of approximately 10-10--6.50, as
compared with BE 5-5--3 ratio for
capital ships est yblished in the WASH
ington arms treaty.