Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-20

Continued From First Page)
limita ton, because Great Britain's re-
spouse to President Hoover's appeal for
a lower Anglo-American naval standard
hinges on her admirslty's view Of the
combined Franco-Italian strength.
AS the United States is to have q
navy equal to the British, under the
Anglo-American accord, reduction Of
the American naval program will be
out OF the question IN the absence OF q
British cut below the cruiser feet limit
of $4,000 now fixed by the admiralty.
Japan May Make Concessions.
The Washington talks between Amer
lean and japanese oficials will avoid
subjects in which the other powers
would desire q voice. However, since
the japanese are willing to base their
naval strength on the Anglo American
level. according to 5-5-3 or 10
10 ratio, it is considered altogether
likely that the application of whatever
ratio should be agreed upon will be
talked over with the Japanese repre-
sentatives in any Washington CONVEX
sation.
1t is expected that japan will not
hold out for 1O-10-7 ratio If serious
objection should be raised. Assuming
she should accede to an extension OF
the 5-5-3 battleship ratio to cruisers
and other auxiliary craft. an important
problem that remains to be settled. and
which concerned President Hoover and
Prime Minister Macdonald in their
Washington talks, has to do with
whether Japan would prefer to base
that ratio on the complexion of the
American or British Navy.
The problem arises from the differ
ence over types of cruisers which re.
suited In the tentative Anglo American
agreement by which the United States
would have al maximum size 10 600.
ton cruisers mounting eight-inch guns
and Great Britain Is, in addition to
smaller cruisers, in which Great Britain
would have superiority.
It Is development of the so-called
"yardstick plan" OF equalizing the
American and British navies, by allow
ing one side superiority In tonnage
and numbers Of units and tina other
superiority in the newest. largest and
most powerful cruisers.
Japan Would Get Is Ships.
If Japan we're to say that she chose
to base her three-f1fths on each SUBJ
division Of the American Navy, and
the conference were to agree, Japan
would come out of the conference with
the right to have Is 10000 tonners
against Britains Is and the American
81, although. Of course, considerably
below British strength In small-sized
cruisers.
The same problem affects the French
and Italian attitudes to q lesser ex-
tent, in view of the possibility that they
VIII ask far smaller ratios than Japan.
President Hoover, meanwhile, is pro-
ceeolng cautiously In the selection of
the American delegation to the con-
ference, Of which only the chairman.
Secretary Stimson. has been appointed
definitely. Charles @. Dawes, Am
baSsador to the Court of st. James, is
considered selected in the Presidents
mind.
Having so far avoided the pitfalls o.
European politics, the President is I'M
dertaking 10 avoid domestic political diff
ficulties which might complicate his
task Of getting Senate ratification OF
the treaty he hopes to see negotiated in
the London parley
To that end, the American delegation
of f1ve, or possibly six, will not only rec
ognize the Senate, but also the Demo-
cratic party with at least two voices.
in q sense. In other words, II the dele
CATION includes flve members, three will
be Republicans and two Democrats,
such.
In pursuing this policy, the President
has an eye to keep the naval agree
ment from becoming party issue, as
was the case with the League of Ma
lions question which was adopted sub
stantially by the Democrats and OPP
posed chiefly by the Republicans and
became very much an issue on those
lines in the presidential campaign OF
1920.
Many political observers feel conf
dent that American entry into the
League Of Nations would have become
less political issue and that the
United States would today be q men,
Der of the League, but for President
wilson's failure to include Senators or
universally recognized Representatives In
the American delegation to the Peace
Conference at the end Of the World war.
Watson and Robinson Mentioned.
Although the President has not yet
appointed any Senator to the delega-
ton, it is expected that the Republican
and Democratic floor leaders, Senator
watson Of Indiana and Senator Robin
son OF Arkansas, will have the first call,
in view of the f-elimination of Sena-
tor Borah, chairman of the foreign
relations committee; that Senator Wat
son may be forced to dechne because
OF the pressure of Senate duties and
that Senator Swanson, Democrat, OF
Virginia, Ia considered certain of one
of the minority party places II Senator
Robinson should forego the opportunity.
The Democratic minority leader Is
thought to be DESTROYS of going per-
sonally. IL possible. but he has not yet
been called upon to decide. The
chances are that only one DEMOCRAT
will be taken from the Senate and that
the other will be a civilian.
With Secretary Stimson selected and
Ambassador Dawes slated, the Repub-
lic&n membership In q delegation Of
five would be complete with the APP
pointment of q Republican Senator.
This appointment IL expected to be
made Immediately upon the Presidents
return from his Western trip Thurs