DISARMAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

DEFINITE PROPOSAL MADE. NO MORE CAPITAL SHIPS. SCRAPPING OLDER CRAFT. THREE POWERS AFFECTED. Received Nov. 13, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 12. Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State) sprang a surprise at to-day’s opening of the conference, which was thought to be only formal. After President Harding’s speech he outlined definite and detailed proposals for the limitation of naval armaments. He suggested four general principles as follows: (1) The abandonment ofc the American, British and Japanese programmes in connection with capital ships. (2) The scrapping of certain older ships. (3) Regard to be had for the existing naval strength of these Powers. (4) Auxiliary combatant craft to be reduced in proportion to capital ships. Mr. Hughes stated that if the plan was accepted the United States would scrap fifteen capital ships under construction, totalling 618,000 tons, on which 330,000,000 dollars had already been spent. The United States would also scrap fifteen old battleships, totalling 227,740 tons.

Britain would cease further construction of four new battleships of the Hood class, and scrap all pre-dreadnoughts, second-line battleships and some first-line battleships, aggregating 583,375 tons.

Japan would abandon her programme of 1 capital ships not yet laid down, scrap three battleships and four battle-cruisers, and also all pre-dreadnoughts and second-line battleships, aggregating a tonnage of 438,928. ’ The plan involves the destruction of 66 capital ships belonging to the three naval powers, aggregating a tonnage of 1,878,043, their navies within three months of the signing of the agreement to consist of certain designated ships as follows: No. of Ships. Tonnage Britain ... „ 22 604,450 United States 18 500,650 Japan 10 299,700 Respecting replacements, the United States proposed no replacement until a decade after the signing of the agreement, and then it should be limited to half a million tons each for Britain and the United States, and 300,000 tons for Japan. Subject to, these conditions capital ships may be replaced when twenty years old, but no ships larger than 35,000 tons should be built for replacement. Technical details outlined in the proposals are being filed by expert advisers. With the acceptance of the proposal the burden of armaments will be lifted and proper demands for national defence will be adequately set by, the preparation for an offensive naval war to stop now.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ATTITUDE OF JAPAN C

ACCEPTANCE AS 1 BASIS. AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT HOPES FOR SUCCESS. t Received Nov. 14, 12.25 a.m. Washington, Nov. 13. Mr. Pearce and Sir John Salmond attended the President's reception at White House to-night. The Australian Press Association learns .on the best authority that Japan has decided to accept Mr. Hughes’ proposals as a basis of negotiations. They assert they are most desirous of settling disarmament irrespective of Far Eastern questions. Acceptance of the principles of Mr. Hughes’ plan by Japan renders it more certain than ever that something will arise out of the conference, though later inquiries indicate some opposition is likely to arise in United States circles, the United States Navy Department and the Senate disfavoring some aspects. The latter is rather resentful at not being consulted, but the, same informant points out that nobody dare antagonise public opinion, which shows signs of being roused as seldom before. It was symbolical of this same aspect when the meeting took control out of the hands of Mr. Hughes.

OPINION OF THE PLAN. FULL OF POSSIBILITIES. DESIRE FOR SUCCESS. Received Nov. 13, 11.5 p.m. \ Washington, Nov. 12. Mr. A. J. Balfour, in a statement to the Australian Press Association, characterised Mr. Hughes’ utterances as bold and statesmanlike, and pregnant with infinite possibilities for the most hopeful and successful issue of the conference. The Japanese delegates sum up the proposals as concrete and logical. M. Briand is somewhat .more cautious, but indicated satisfaction at the proposals Political and diplomatic circles art? fairly humming with excitement this afternoon. The British delegaton was particularly busy. Lord Beatty and his staff immediately met to consider the proposition and get ready to advise the delegates when the conference sits again next week. Mr. Balfour spent most of the afternoon with the Japan • ese delegation. Opinion has not yet -crystallised, the suddenness and completeness of the United States’ offer taking everybody by surprise, but authoritative circles tentatively are of opinion that such respou-

sible and far-sighted statesmen as President Harding and Mr. Hughes are hardly likely to commit themselves so far unless they had some- guarantee of success, seeing that failure would mean not only an enormous setback to the cause of world disarmament, but also ruin to any Government .responsible for such failure. On the other hand it is felt the simplicity and sincerity of the proposals makes the ground clear from any attempt at diplomatic intrigue, putting a plain statement of fact before the conference and before the world.