Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1922, Page 3

Washington Conference.

v From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) CRUISERS AND AEROPLANE CARRIERS. LIMITATION OF TONNAGE AND GUNS. WASHINGTON, Dec. 31. The Committee on Naval Armaments yesterday afternoon reached an agreement regarding aeroplane carriers. Th« United States and Great Britain are each allowed five vessels of a total of 135,000 tons, Japail three, totalling 81,000 tons, and France and Italy each three, totalling 60,000 tons, the tuo latter being smaller owing to France’s desire to have two carriers for her home coasts and one for her colonies. Official.—At to-day’s'meeting of the Committee on Naval Armaments, in the debate on the question of limitation of the size of cruisers, it was proposed that the niaxiniuni should be 10,000 tons, the cillibfis of guns not to exceed eight iiiches. Admiral lvato agreed to this on behalf of Japan, and suggested that merchant ships of big toniiage should be considered if the . limitations were to be effective.

Tbe chairman said the matter was most important, and could be discussed later. , Admiral Acton Agreed to the limitation on behalf of Italy. This means that all tbe Powers have assented to the proposal but France, whose representatives arft awaiting definite instructions: . In the afternoon the question of aeroplane carriers was considered. Admiral Acton poiiited out that the tonnage allotted would only allow Italy one ship. -She should have two in order to be able to keep at least one always in commission. He asked for 04,000 tons, or double the allowance proposed, on conditioii that ho higher tonnage was allotted to ally other Mediterranean Power. Lord Lee (Britain) emphasised the fact that this class of ship was still in the experimental stage. Admiral de Bon France) asked for three ships, each of D 000 tons, two for European waters and one for the colonies, where the use of aircraft for police purposes was thought to )C 0 considerable value; Admiral Kato said the tonnage allotted to Japan was too low. He asked j for three ships, of a total toniiage of 81,000 tons. The chairman said the tonnage asked for by the various delegates reflected the capital ship ratio. It was finally agreed that the tonnage, armament, and number should be as cabled. A proposal is to be put forward dealing with replacements of this type ot tonnage, in view of its present experimental nature. After agreeing that other technical matters should be dealt with by the naviil expert committees, and that general agreement be drafted, the committee adjourned till they are called together by the chairman.