Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-07
Way to AngIO-U. S. Parity Is
Opened by British and
American Spokesman, Fa-
ciIitating Farley Steps.
IMMEDIATE LIMITATION
OF CRUISERS is URGED
Premier Makes Concession to
France and Japan on Submarines,
Though Advocating Ultimate
Abolition of Underseas Craft and
Battleships.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, February Prime
Minister Macdonald this after
noon issued announcement of
the British governments policy
for the Naval Conference, which
members of the American delega-
ton declared they regarded as
complete acceptance of points put
forward in the American state
ment late yesterday.
The American statement, which
was issued by Col Henry L. Slim
son, head of the delegation, fixed
a way to parity between the two
nations.
The British desire for ultimate
abolition of battleships and sub
marines and for immediate limi-
tation of cruisers and other cate
gorieS was an outstanding point in
the detailed concrete statement of
the British stand.
Mr.. Macdonald made concession to
the French and japanese viewpoints.
While advocating immediate abolition
Of the submarine, he indicated willing
ness to agree to a continuance of this
weapon if it was restricted to purely
defensive purposes.
He also indicated willingness to allow
the transfer Of some tonnage in cruiser
categories.
New Thoughts Are Issued.
While the American delegation ex-
pressed the opinion that the statement
was acceptance of Col Stimson's an
nouncement. it informally indicated
there were certain new thoughts in the
British statement which must be dis
cuSsed with American naval experts be-
fore the Americans could indicate COM
plete agreement with it, These points
include, for example, reduction of air.
craft tonnage and limitation of the size
Of aircraft carriers.
The Macdonald memorandum was
stated to represent the views not only
OF the British government and British
experts, but of all the dominions. The
statement was put into its present form
last week and was discussed with do
minion representatives all of whom are
said to have agreed.
Capital Reduction Urged.
Great Britain proposes that the num-
Der of capital ships assigned to the
Signatories of the Washington treaty be
reached within 18 months of ratifica-
ton Of the London treaty. No replace
ment of existing ships should take place
before the next conference in 1885.
Great Britain also favors reduction
in the size of capital ships from IS 900
tons to $4,000 tons and of guns from
16 inches to II inches. In British opin-
ion the age length of battleships should
be increased from 20 years to 26 years.
Great Britain hopes for an exchange
of views on the whole subject of bat
tleships. Indeed" said the prime min
ister, ''the British government wishes
TO see an agreement whereby battle
ships will in due time disappear alto
gether, as it considers them a very
doubtful proposition IN view of their
size and cost and of the development
Of the efficiency Of air and submarine
attack"
The British proposals envisage a re-
duction in the total aircraft tonnage for
the British and American navies from
$4,000 tons, under the Washington
treaty, to 100000 tons.
Age Limit Is Set.
The maximum size of aircraft car
riers also would be reduced to $4,000
and their age would be heightened from
20 years to IS, the same as battleships
Final arrangements with regard to
Continued on Page Q Column .