Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15
Borah Urges Reduction and
Not Merely Limitation
of Armament.
WALSH SAYS NATION
WOULD WELCOME MOVE
Probable Attitude of France and
Italy Toward Conference
Remains a Question.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

ne pIhnS OF the hoover aQmlnlStra-
ton and the Macdonald government in
England for a naval limitation con-
ference, probably in December, are
viewed with distinct favor by infiuen-
tial members of the Senate of both
parties.
Senator Borah, chairman of the
foreign relations committee, said yes
terday that it appeared real progress
had been made toward the proposed
conference. He expressed the hope
that any agreement entered into by the
naval powers would result in a real
reduction Of armament not merely IN q
limitation.
IF the League of Nations and the
Kellogg treaty renouncing war as a
means of settling international disputes
mean anything" said Senator Borah,
there is no need for the big navies
that exist today. There is no need for
the huge expenditures for naval con-
struction and upkeep which grind down
the people through taxation"
Walsh Favors Move.
Senator Thomas J. Walsh of Montana.
Democrat, also member of the foreign
relations committee. said he believed
that the country would welcome steps
looking to naval limitation and naval
reduction.
While the negotiations conducted be-
tween the British and American gov
ernments, through Premier Macdonald
and Ambassador Charles G. Dawes,
have progressed to point where 1t is
believed that an adjustment of the
knotty cruiser problem may be obtained,
two questions were uppermost last night.
The f1rst was the probable attitude of
France and Italy toward the conference
ana s, tne second was the place in which
the conference would be held.
It has been taken for granted that
Japan would welcome an Invitation to
the proposed naval conference. In
deed, advices from Japan yesterday
were to that effect. Japan ioined
with this country and Great Britain
IN the naval conference at Geneva.
called by President Coolidge. But
neither France nor Italy accepted the
invitation to that conference.
Would Limit Small Craft.
The purpose of the proposed confer
ence is to reach an agreement limit
ing auxiliary naval craft, cruisers, de-
Stroyers, submarines. ETC., thereby car
rying out the purposes originally laid
down at the opening of the Washington
conference on naval limitation in 1921
%. At the Washington conference
agreement was reached and put into
treaty form governing the capital ships
and aircraft carriers Of the five ma
tions involved. But 1t was found to
be utterly impossible to reach an agree
ment on auxiliary craft at that time.
The capital ship ratio fixed in the
naval treaty of Washington was $3.50
1.67-1.67. respectively, for the United
States, Great Britain, Japan. France
and italy.
The indications are, however, that
when it comes to the matter OF aux
Hilary naval craft, both France and
italy will request much higher ratio
than that fixed for them in capital
ships. There are indications, too, that
Japan may seek higher ratio for
auxiliary ships than that fixed for
her in the Washinsto treaty dealing
with battleships.
Should the demands Of France and
Italy be for a very considerable cruiser,
destroyer and submarine tonnage, it
is possible that Great Britain may feel
impelled to make special plea for
Mediterranean feet that would swell
perceptibly the cruiser and destroyer
ceived here in certain quarters an int1-
nation that this may be the. case.
And argument has been advanced that,
In reaching an agreement with the
United States, the tonnage of the Brit
ish Mediterranean fleet might be dis
regarded largely, since 1t would be for
operation only in waters in which the
United States has no particular interest.
IJnsound Argument,
From the American point of view
however such an argument, 1t was said
last night, would scarcely hold water
The fact that certain tonnage Of the
British Navy might be designed for use
in the Mediterranean would not mean
that this tonnage could not and would
not leave those waters II there should
be need for 1t elsewhere.
The truth of the matter appears to
be that France and Italy were not and
are not particularly interested in capi-
tai ships, although France at one time
during the Washington conference Sug-
sested that she be permitted q total
Of 400. 900 tons for battleships. It was
obvious however, that if such ton
mage were allowed to France, although
1t was proposed to allow the United
states and Great Britain only $4,000
tons of capital ships, the Washington
conference would reacA no naVal agree
ment at all. France finally withdrew
fllis request and accepted 175,000 tons
OF capital ships as her ratio and Italy
was accorded the same.
In the matter CT auxiliary craft.
however, France and Italy are much
stronger when compared to this cour-
try. Great Britain and Japan. than
they are in capital ships. 1t became
evident early in the washington con-
ference that 1t would not be possible
to reconcile the differences over the
auxiliary craft. and the effort was
abandoned. France insisted that her
needs for national defense required
ample cruiser and submarine tonnage.
AT the washington conference the Brit
ish came forward with suggestion
that the submarine be eliminated en-
tirely from the navies of the world.
To that, however, France was unalter-
ably opposed, regarding the submarine
as o distinctly defensive arm. In her
position in this matter France was up
held by this country and Japan.
italy and France Silent.
It is understood that the governments
of France and italy fave been kept
informed of the progISSs OF the r1ego-
tiaticns between this country and
Britain, looking to naval conference.
But their governments are yet TO oe
heard from regarding the suggestion
eS