New Britain herald., 1930-03-06
Stimson Stand Discussed


 London, March LP-A statement by Secretary Henry L. Stimson that the United States is willing to re- duce it's sea armament by moro than 100000 tons-if the fleets of the other naval powers also arc reduced was the principal topic of discus sion in naval conference circles to- day.
 In a surprise announcement, Colonel Stimson said:
 There seems to be an impression that the work of the American dele gation at this conference is likely to result in an increase instead of a re- duction m the tonnage of the navies of the world. The surest way to an- swer that is to give such results as seem to be within reach up-to- date. "A plan which in it's essentials ap- pears to be acceptable to America and Great Britain provides for net reduction in tonnage of the Ameri- can fleet in capital ships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines built, building, or appropriated for, of over 100000 tons. and an even larger re- duction on the part of the British feet
 Contingent On Other Cuts
 "1f the vessels authorized but not commenced were concluded in exist ing fleets, the amount of reduction would be much greater. Of course, these reductions are contingent upon some reductions being made in the fleets of the other powers"
 Reaction to the statement was varied. Many persons were puzzled at Colonel Stimson's total-200,0 900 and did not see how he reached it. One close conference observer said the pronunciamento was in tended for the home folks" and for a hint to the returning French dele gation of Anslo-American desires to sec the French demand for 724,0OU naval tons lcsscned.
 Secretary Stimson refused 10 di- vulSc the figures which he and the American delegation had used in ar irving at their estimate of 100000 tOiiS iNuuNlioil, put tlIllOllS lllC SCllCu- ulcs current here today there was one with the suggestion of authen- ticity. which calculated the American fleet, built, building and appropriated for, at 1,204,000 tons.
 This total was made up of the fol- lowing items: .. Battleships, 531 1000 tons.
 Cruisers, 276,000 tons.
 Destroyers. 306. 900 tons.
 Submarines, 91,000 tons.
 Has Figures in Mind
 Colonel Stimson had in mind, ac- cording to this set of figures that If the reductions contemplated by Great Britain and the United States materialize, the American fleet would contain:
 Battleships. 463,00O tons.
 Cruisers, 323,000 tons.
 Destroyers, 150,O00 tons.
 Submarines, 60,00O tons.
 The total is 996,000 tons, a reduc- tion of 207,000 tons. Proposed scrap ping of the Wyoming, Florida and Utah would account for the reduc- ton in the battleship tonnage. Four old cruisers would be scrapped, re- ducing somewhat the projected en- largement of that branch of the navy.
 These four cruisers were said to be the Rochester, Pittsburgh, Gal weston and Denver afI rapidly ap- preaching obsolescence. The Roches- ter is 40 years old.
 The figures for destroyers and American suggestions, not wholly acquiesced in by Great Britain.
 Colonel Stimson did not include in his figures airplane carriers, in which some tonnage is left the United States to build to according to terms of the Washington treaty.
 Dispatches from Paris indicated that the French delegation returning here today would be in more con- ciliatory frame of mind and would be prepared to make concessions in their previous demands for a fleet of 724,000 tons.
 It was expected that with resump-