Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-14

until the date fixed in the treaty, any
way" said Stimson.
Senator johnson asked why there
was no time restrictien-on Japan, and
Senator Reed, Republican, Pennsyl-
vania, explained that Japan already
has its total.
why doesn't the table in the treaty
state the facts and show that we will
only have 1900 tons of S-inch cruisers
instead of $50, 900 tons?" asked Robin
son, Republican, of Indiana.
The table does state the facts" re-
torted StiniSon.
Mr.. Simpson Said I'VE wanted q
trading point-a very valuable thing
even In international conferences"
There was complete agreement in
the delegation that this proposal should
be made" he said.
Senator johnson referred to a table
showing 10000 tons Of 6-inch gun
cruisers for the American feet.
isn't that a mistaken" he demanded.
Mr.. Simpson said the total would be
10000 at the end of 1886. But, he
added, that 10000 tons Is the
maximum which our neet shall not
exceed"
Senator johnson insisted that the
United States actually would have but
IS 1o,o0o-ton cruisers, with the option
of building two more after 1885, and
Stimson agreed.
Senator johnson asked why the age
limit Of cruisers was reduced from 20
to Is years.
1--WE asked Japan and Great Britain
to stand still, and that brought an acute
labor situation" said Mr.. Stinson.
"They asked permission to replace
some sooner. Then, we have a great
mass of destroyers of the same age and
this provision permits us to spread the
replacement of the ships with conse-
quent benefit to our labor"
Turning to the Japanese situation,
Senator johnson asserted the ratio prin-
ciple of 5-5-3 was expected after the
washington Conference to apply to all
categories. He said American abandon
ment of bases in the Pacific brought
about that ratio" and asked why 1t was
modified at London.
TT is a little improper for the man in
charge of the foreign relations to specu-
late before the press as to the reasons
swaying foreign powers" replied Mr..
Stimson.
VERY WELL" said Senator johnson.
Admiral Pratt Is Called.
Concluding with Mr.. StimSon, the
committee called Admiral William ".
Pratt, adviser to the delegation in Lon
don.
Pratt read q prepared statement.
analysing the pact and concluding:
Prom the viewpoint Of feet COM
bat strength, I feel that the treaty Il
most satisfactory.
"There is one additional feature
which makes this treaty particularly
acceptable from the naval point of
view. Now, for the first time in our
history, we can lay down q definite
program, extending over O period of
time, and visualize Q Navy, which Is
not a creature of great ups and downs
in the matter Of naval building pro-
gram.
1--WE should be able to iron out the
bumps caused by such excessive build
ship program and the 1917-18 destroy
ers programs and we should be able
to forestall any great naval depression
Moreover, the added life to each
combatant category as specifled in this
treaty over the figures mentioned in
the American proposal of 1922 has ma
terially reduced the yearly naval
wastage."
allowed under the treaty sis better for
fleet needs than an all S-inch cruiser
tonnage"
fed before the naval committee that
the 8-inch cruiser was superior for
the American Navy.
"Perhaps have" said Pratt.
Robinson of Indiana said the treaty
represented "a radical change in policy"
Six-Inch Guns Faster.
well, who knows anything about the
eight-inch and the six-tnch cruisers?
we have never fought with either"
said Pratt 1.-THE eight-inch only FIRE
about three a minute. They won't do
at night The six-inch can fire 10 or
IL q minute. don't want all my eggs
in one basket. Give me some Of those
faster-firing six-inch guns. We need
them in night action"
Pratt explained that the six-inch
guns were hand LOADED and the eight
inch machine loaded.
Let the six-inch get in about night
fall or in q fog and she will eat up
the eight-inch. Ans you don't have
good visibility on the Pacific" Pratt
said