Evening star., 1936-05-13

Senate Foreign KelaLlOnS COmUlt.
tee hearings on the new London naval
treaty were deferred until tomorrow
by Chairman Pittman because an in
sufficient number of committee men,
bers appeared for today's scheduled
session.
Norman H. Davis. who headed the
delegation TO London, and Admiral
William H. Standley. Acting Secre-
tary of the Navy, who also attended.
were ready to testify.
Pittman said several committee
members also are members Of the
Finance Committee, which is consid-
ering the tax bill.
The treaty. submitted by President
Roosevelt yesterday for ratification,
was signed by the United States, Great
Britain and France.
Nye Plans Criticism.
When the treaty comes up for floor
action. Senator Nye, Republican, Of
North Dakota. is planning to offer
criticism. He has referred to the pact
as "a Swiss cheese treaty." saying lit
is full of holes"
The treaty provides for limitation Of
the sizes Of ships In certain categories,
an exchange Of building program in
formation and escape clauses in the
event of unforeseen developments, such
as war on certain construction by non-
signatory powers. There is no limit
on the number Of ships.
The naual kill vou,
In conference would provide for the
building of ships intended to move
United States naval strength nearer
to authorized treaty strength.
Coincidentally, Senator Walsh,
Democrat, of Massachusetts,, treaty
strength" advocate, was virtually as
sured the chairmanship of the Senate
Naval Affairs Committee, succeeding
the late Senator Trammell of Florida.
Walsh said yesterday that as chair
man of the committee he would press
for full naval strength and renewed
airship building program. but added,
I'm not going to be rushed of my
fee for an enormous Navy"
Informed observers have known for
several weeks that President Roosevelt
was conducting a canvass of the Sem
ate to ascertain whether any unsur-
mountable objections to the treaty ex-
listed, and his action yesterday was
taken as an indication he had been
assured of favorable action.
Pertinent provisions in the pact
would provide that:
Each of the signatory nations must
give advance notification each year Of
their building programs and furnish
specific information at least four
months before any keel is laid and
during construction of the vessel.
Capital Ship Glasses.
Capital ships (battleships and battle
cruisers) would be divided into two
catagories ta) They must be between
1880 and $4,000 tons and carry IA
inch guns tan escape clause provides
that 16-inch guns may be installed if
Japan does not agree to that limita-
tom. (b) Ships must be limited to
5000 tons, with 10-inch guns.
Light surface vessels would be clas-
sified as (A) any ship carrying 8-inch
guns up to 10000 tons; (B) ships
between 5000 and 5000 tons with
not over 6.l-inch guns; and Co ships
under 5000 tons carrying not over
5.linch guns.
Submarines would be limited to
1000 tons.
Aircraft carriers would be limited
to $4,000 tons and 61-inch guns.
A six-year holiday would be de-
clared in construction of all cruisers
more than 5000 tons or with bigger
than 6.1-inch guns.
A mon construction zone" would
provide that no ships be built between
the 17,500-ton battleships and big
cruisers of 10000 tons, as insurance
against any nation building surprise
types. such as Germany's pocket bat
tleships."