The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-09-19
Where Naval Reduction Stands

Where Naval Reduction Stands
Another titanic stride toward the goal OF universal
peace may not inconceivably be the ultimate appraisal OF
the decision reached between the United States and
Great Britain whereby there is to be a iive-po"er parley
in December on naval reduction.
With the announcement, the bewildering project for
reducing naval ornaments as it is being formulated by
Premier Ramsay Macdonald, of England. and President
Hoover, cmerges. into comparative clarity. This could
not be the case as long as the vital principle OF the pro-
posed reduction had not been agreed on. This funda-
mental principle now is understood to have been virtually
reached. It is to be the .%yardstick' of the conference and
It deals with the equality OF cruiser strength between
Great Britain and the United States.
In this successful negotiation between the two Anglo
Saxon powers the other naval nations, Japan, France and
Italy, find the incentive for joining in the proposed con-
ference in December. 1t is believed that invitations to
these three powers will be accepted in the same pacific
spirit that has animated the sponsoring nations in their
negotiations between London and Washington and which
will start Ramsay Macdonald for America on the Bcrcn-
garia, September %. Admiral Hyo Takarabc. Japans
naval minister. has announced that the success of the
Anglo-American negotiations is welcome news to his
country.
The key proposal now seemingly settled is SO disposed
Of only in optional form, however. 1t concerns cruiser
parity. This. as far as the United States Is concerned. is
left to decision whether 10000 tons additional American
strength in this type Of fighting craft is to be in the
form of three %l0.O0O-ton cruisers or four or five of small
CT size. Whichever way this question of size is settled. it
insures the effective parity of the fleets. The United
States very likely will be allotted ID cruisers OF 10000 tons
each.
In the course OF the negotiations. Great Britain has re-
duced her estimated cruiser tonnage from 100000 tons to
$4,000. In this is involved the fundamental difference
In the naval requirements of the two nations that long
has stood in the way of an agreement OIL cruiser parity
and general disarmament. Great Britain. with wide
spread coast lines and sea lanes to protect and numerous
rcfueling bases, wants small cruisers. The United States.
on the other hand. due to its comparativce lack Of bases.
requires larger cruisers with their correspondinely greater
steaming radius.
Assuming that the conference will take place, the
United States. among other important propositions. in
tends to ask that the present lO-ycar holiday in the con-
struction of capital ships be extended from 1881 to 1886.
BY 1896 it, expected that the way will be open to further
curtailment of battleship tonnage. leading possibly to the
elimination Of this type OF vessel as a fighting unit. The
proposal presupposes the calling Of another conference in
1896. III paramount features. the results OF mutual con-
cessions in reaching the agreement which promises the
five-power conference in December are:
1. Reduction and parity of the American and British
fleets are to be arrived at in 1886.
2. Scrapping Of existing ships will be avoided by the
process Of not junking them until they become obsolete
through the automatic process Of reaching their age limit.
3. The old replacement system is to be abandoned.
4 Neither navy will undertake new building projects
during the next seven years. !. e.. authorize or construct
any ships not already provided for.
5. The United States l5-cruiser program, enacted by
congress last winter. Is to be carried out.
8. Great Britain is alocated a round tonnage total of
$4,000 IN cruisers, as against a round American total of
$4,000. The numerical excess in Britain's favor is to be
equalized by permitting the United States to have about
eighteen 1OO00-ton 8-inch cruisers, as against about Is
British cruisers Of that category.
4. America comedies the British fleet a certain super
iority In smaller cruisers for police" or trade-route pro-
tective purposes, but these, from the American stand
point, will yield Britain no advantage in combat
strength as against the American fleet.
& There is to be a heavy reduction in the destroyer
and submarine fleets Of both navies, America permit
ting roundly 100000 tons Of destroyers to pass out through
Otsolesccnce by 1896 and Britain surrcndering roundly
10000 tons. Submarine flotillas would be dccimatcd in
both fleets BY the same process. The net result, in 1896.
would be equality Of American and British destroycrs and
submarines in combat strength despite tonnage dis
4. America and Britain are ready to enter a five
power naval conference in December. to give effect, in a
treaty. to the conclusions reached by them.
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