Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-02
DROPPING CRUISERS
. ST|RS NAVAL MEN
British Failed at First to
Realize Four Are Cut
Instead of Two.
BY FRANK H. KING.
Associated Press STAFF Writer

@~~S~~~~N~
LONDON, February 1.-The British
government has dropped from its naval
building plans two more cruisers than
was realized this week, when A. v.
Alexander, first lord of the admiralty,
made his announcement to the House
of Commons that the cruisers North
cumberland and Surrey had been can
celed.
The information became public while
the various delegations to the Naval
Disarmament Conference were at play
over the week end lull in negotiations,
and caused something of a minor SEN
sation in naval circles.
Beside the two projected 10,000-ton
ships mentioned by Mr.. Alexander, upon
which plans were suspended before
Prime Minister Macdonald went to
Washington last Autumn, the British
admiralty today confirmed reports that
two other cruisers, one of 10000 tons
and the other something under 1000
tons. had been dropped from the 1880
building program. These are paper
ships" and one of them, the 10000
tonner, might almost be called a myth
cal ship, for the British official return
of fleets for 1880 giving the complete
building program does not list it.
Characterized in Press.
The British government has made no
effort to characterize cancellation of
these building plans as a gesture to-
ward disarmament, but the British press
today nevertheless pointed to the gov
ernments action as such.
The fact that two additional cruisers
were to be dropped was mentioned In
written reply in Parliament by Mr..
Alexander last Wednesday, but his
phraseology did not make it clear that
two ships besides the Surrey and North
cumberland were not to be built.
It was stated that of the original 1929
British naval construction program only
one 6-inch gun cruiser remains, while
some sections of the press accept this
situation as sweeping gesture of good
will, other quarters bitterly criticize the
Labor governments action as il-timed
on the ground that it means loss Of
bargaining power during the conference.
Week End is Long.
Before settling down to next week.
negotiations, which may first see the
introduction of figures into the naval
discussions, the delegates to the con-
ference surrendered Internationally to
the restful influence of the long official
English week end. 1t will be even longer
than the usual London week end, for
the conference will not meet again until
Tuesday. when it digs into the intricacies
feet limitation by global tonnage and
limitation by various classes of war;
ships. Monday will be devoted to pri-
vate conversations among the deleg
tons.
The seven American delegates, Henry
L.. StimSon, Charles Francis Adams
David A. Reed, Joseph D. Robinson
Dwight w. Morrow, Hugh S. Gibson
and Charles G. Dawes, and their wives
hicfOrf0 Bun 1Aav pI,f
with the British prime minister himself
as guide. Meanwhile the American ex-
perts and secretariat enjoyed the day
at Stanmore, Secretary Stimson's place
which he had turned over to them.
Premier Tardieu of France went back
to Paris for several days, expressing
before his departure satisfaction with
the accomplishments of the conference
during the past week and confident that
continued progress was in sight.
Foreign Minister Grandi of Italy and
his wife went sightseeing along the
southern English coast, only Reijiro
Wakatsuki. head of the japanese dele
CATION, remaining in London.
StimsOn Impressed.
Prime Minister Macdonald plotted a
very appreciative group OF distinguished
Americans through the old Quaker
country OF BuckinghamShire. The
Americans went down to cheuuers to-
gether just like little group of genuine
American tourists. They passed by the
other chequers-the village public house
and went right on to the big official
country residence of the prime minister
After luncheon with Mr.. Macdonald
and his daughter, Ishbel, they started
their tour of such places as Millions
cottage at Chalfont, PENIS grave at
Jordans, and old homes of Burke ana
Disraeli. Secretary Stimson was deeply
impressed, saying later:
1T has been one of the most inter-
esting days of my life. 1t reminds me
once more that we sprang from common
stock and that we are what might be
called blood brothers. These are the
links which should help us to see that
so far as is humanity possible we shall
continue to live at peace with one an
other and strive to establish permanent
peace in the world