Evening star., 1938-05-01
AVYD|SCUSS|0NS
REACH DEADLOCK.
'itain Insists on $4,000
Tons Limit-U. S. Asks
No Ship Limits.

Consultation between the United
States and Britain to decide on the
size of the new -battleships each
will build has reached deadlock, off,
cials said yesterday.
Britain continues to insist on a size
and limit of $4,000 tons.
The United States continues to in
sist that. in the present state Of un-
certainty as to the exact nature OF
Japans intentions, no limit at all
should be set.
The United States as testified to be-
fore the Senate Naval Affairs Com
nlittee, wants battleships Of $4,000 tons
each-but she has not formally in
formed Britain of this fact. She has
simply said no new limit should be
fixed.
The United States consultants, Her.
schel V. johnson, counselor of the
London Embassy, and Capt. Russell
Wilson, naval attache. met once with
the British following the formal an
nouncement by both countries, dated
March 81, Of their intention to invoke
the "escalator" clause in the London
naval treaty of 1885 and build battle
ships bigger than the $4,000 tons the
treaty allowed
More Instructions Awaited.
That meeting disclosed a complete
disagreement between the two delega-
tions. The British are now awaiting
the receipt of further instructions from
Washington to the American consult
ants before meeting with them again.
The question is under discussion
here, but there is no indication of any
change of attitude On the part Of
American authorities.
Great Britain wants battleships linz
tied to $4,000 tons because that is the
size at which she believes she can
build them most effectively.
1t Is thought here she arrived at
this decision because of her salts
faction at the performance of her
largest battleship. the Hood, which is
Just over $4,000 tons.
Moreover, Britain prefers l4-inch
guns to 16-inch ones, but she has re-
signed herself to using the larger type.
Naval engineers here say the IA
Inch British guns are superior to the
American 14-inch guns, while the
American l6-inch guns are superior
to the 16-inch guns of the British.
France Holding Aloof.
France apparently intends to hold
aloof from further consultations be-
tween the United States and Britain.
She formally stated on March 81 that
she would not build battleships bigger
than $4,000 tons unless some other
Continental European power did so
She acknowledges the United States
and Britain's right to build larger
ships, but hopes they will keep the new
limit, If any. as low as possible.
Meanwhile, administration leaders
on Capitol Hill indicated they would
not oppose the Vandenbers amend
ment to the naval expansion bill,
specifying the conditions under which
Congress might authorize battleships
IN excess of $4,000 tons.
Chairman Walsh of the Senate
Naval Affairs Committee said he ac-
cepted "in principle" the amendment,
which would require the President to
determine in conferences with Great
Britain and France that other powers
were exceeding the 35,0OO-ton limit
before Congress could permit the Navy
to build larger ships.
Senator Walsh indicated he would
propose modification in the Vanden-
berg amendment to give the President
discretion to determine whether the
3o,000-ton limit was being exceeded.
He contended that conferences with
the other treaty signatories might fail
to produce the desired information.
Administration leaders believed the
Navy bill would go sailing through the
Senate if satisfactory amendment
along the lines suggested by Senator
Vandenbe-g, Republican, of Michigan
can be worked out. Senator Nye, Re-
publican, of North Dakota, leader OF
the opposition. predicted, however, de-
feat OF the bill by a margin of one
vote. The vote probably will be taken
tomorrow or Tuesday.
Secretary Swanson announced YES
terday that bids for building eight |
warships would be opened at the Navy
Department June o.
That program comprises four de-
etroyers, three submarines and a feet
tug. Funds are contained in the 1889
naval supply bill.