Evening Star Newspaper, November 12, 1921, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, BATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1921—PART T.™ WOULD DESTROY 66 WARSHIPS i OF NEAR TWO MILLION TONS By the Amociated Press. _.A ten-year naval holiday in naval %onstruc:ion, involving a tremendous serapping of ships now on the ways or contemplated by the United States, Great Britain and Japan, was proposed to the conference on the Iimitation of armament by Secretary Haghes at the opening session today s America’s proposals. fiziefly, the American proposals are That there immediately be destroyes by the navies of the three great owers sixty-six capital fighting ships and a total tonnage of 1,878,043 tous, Strength After Reduction. Within three maaiths after making fa afreement the navies would con- st of designated and agreed upon ahips as follows: . United States, 18; Great Britain, 22; Japan, 10. .-In tons this would be: United . States, 500.650; Great Britain, 604,450; Japan, 299,700. Heplacements would be limited by an agreed maximum of capital ship tonnake, as follows: United $ates, 500,000 tons; Great . Britain, 5 Japan, 300,000 tona. 35,0$0-Ton Limit. T Subject to the ten-year holiday lim- {tation, capital ships could be replaced ,when they are twenty years old. No replacement ship would have a ton- Ttage of more than 35,000. ".A total tonnage in cruisers, flotilla leaders and destroyers for each power ‘would be fixed, as follows: "' For the United States: 450,000 tons; for Great Britain, 450,000 tons; for Japan, 270,000 tons. The totai tonnage of submarineeal- .Jowed each power would be as fol- fows: For the United States, 90,000 ~“TRAFFIC JAM PROBE " STARTED BY OYSTER » TO DISCOVER BLAME 7 (Continued from First Page.) _place in his machine to M. Briand, while Ambassador Berthelot found a .@eat in another car. President Harding has traveled many miles in automobiles in this pity and in_other cities and over .wountry roads and mountain passes, but he never before experienced any- thing like the ride yesterday to and from the ceremonies at Arlington + temetery. This short ride, almost from start to . finigh, was with many thrills, and meveral times the presidential party was in immediate danger. Any num- Dber of possible serious mishaps were narrowly averted. Older police offi- clals said afterward that it was the worst of its kind in the history of the weity. - e Rough Ride for President. < Not only was the presidential party, “’yhich had an escort of motorcycle! - police, a car of secret service men and two automobiles filled with local de- tectives, brought to a standstill more than fifty times during the trip, but ‘the hubs of the President's machine were more than once rubbed by other cars, and on three occasions the Presi- ent's party was compelled to leave *'¥he roadway and progress over park- ‘ways. Along a large portion of the ride, especially along the military road I9eading from the Highway bridge to "Arlington, the President’s car was forced to proceed along the gutter of 'he roadway. The secret service, the ocal detectives under command of mspector Grant, and the motorcycle .‘molice were kept busy throughout ‘learing a passage way for the Presi- dent. Tt was plainly evident that both the ‘President and Mrs. sreatly discomforted by srlence and that they fully realized ,.zhe perils attending the ride. On a iumber of occasions Col. Sherrill and the expe- Jident, who were riding with him, left the car to assist in opening up the road. It is understood that the President more than once during the journey -expressed: himself very forcibly re- ‘Igarding the confusion, and that he “said he would like to know who was ‘responsible for the lack of manage- ment. , Secret Service Agents Held Up. A lleutenant at the south entrance ‘ attempted to prevent three members .of the White House secrct service staff, who had been assigned to sta- ‘ tions in the vicinity of the south end ‘dof the amphitheater, to enter. He 1s0 refused entrance to a number ‘%6t other invited persons, according to persons who stood nearby. Among those held up by the officer were a ‘number of foreign guests and the four members of the national quartet, who were to have taken part in the “'fnusic feature of the ceremonies. It was with great difficulty that Premier Briand of France and his party gained admission at this en- trance, and Instead of being per- mitted to proceed directly to their box, not a great distance away, they 'were forced to walk all the way round the amphitheater before ~reaching their places. It is under- !§tood, also, that the automobiles “"Swhich brought the Frencsh party __were ordered from the spot where “=hey were to wait until the conclusion of the ceremonies, which was respon- sible for the premier and his party losing track of the vehicles com- pletely and being forced to return to the capital in the best way they could. Maj. Gesstord’s Statement. ‘The report made by Maj. Gessford to Commissioner Oyster today, giving that officer's official version of the ‘Enuse of the traffic tie-up, follows: ~=—-1 find upon investigating that the —ZXraffic situation at the Highway "Sridge yesterday was handled by the ,police as efficiently as it was possible ito _handle a bottled-up jam of thou- 'sands of vehicles. It was simply a 'case of the dead stoppage of vehicles from the cemetery grounds clear to e District of Columbia, brought about by congestion of the roadways /3 and parking space in the .vicinity of the cemetery. ‘“My investigation of the situation shows that both the Columbia and Military roads leading to grounds were solidly lined with vehicles, four ‘abreast, and then with an overflow in adjacent fields. S [ Blames Virginia Side. f} “Under these circumstances it can ig readily be seen that the originating 19'point of congestion could not have |} been in the District of Columbia. It |} is the duty of the police to facilitate the movement of traffic, and this most assuredly would have been done yes- iterday were it not for the fact that '§,the roads leading to Arlington were i§ blocked to such an extent as to posi- tively prohibit the movement of ve- hicles. The whole condition occurring lin”the District of Columbia was the result of conditlons in Virginia on the other side of the river. | ""“At 10:25 o'clock yesterday morn- u:f after lice headquarters. was \advised of the congested condition on !this side of the river an extra de- \tail of police was immediately rushed to the vicinity and at the same time my office got im touch with the off- 8 ce: of the day Leut. Works, at Fort , and apraised him of ‘the con- : on |ln this city and of the ngestion om the Military roa v e Columblg $ e aituation k" -elieved to Teat and ike and asked him if Virginia could not be isouth of the Harding were { gouth of the roadway. Commander Holmes, aldes to the Pres- i tons; for Great Britain, 90,000 tons; for Japan, 54,000 tons. Limit on Airplane Carriers. The total tonnage of airplane car- riers was proposed as follows: For the United States, 80,000 tons; for Great Britain, 80,000 tons; for Japan, 48,000 ‘tons. In each case it would be provided that no government whose present tonnage exceeds the prescribed limit would be required to scrap such ex- cess until replacements have begun. Cruisers seventeen years old could be replaced by new _construction. Similarly, destroyers, flotilla leaders and submarines could be replaced when twelve years old and airplane carriers when twenty years old. Airplane Program Not Outlined. Limitation of airplane construction was not outlined in detail in the American proposal, but it was declar- ed in the proposal that since the im- tactor in any naval armament pro- gram, “regulations must be provid- ed” to govern the conversion of mer- chant craft for war purposes. Other features of the auxiliary craft reduction program include: Exemption from the terms of the { agreement of existing monitors, un- tons, fuel ships, supply ships, tenders, repair ships, tugs and mine sweepers. No Auxiliary Craft. No new auxiliary combatant craft the agreement, that exceeded 3,000 tons, had a speed of more than fifteen knots and carried more than four five-inch guns. All auxiliary surface craft whose keels already have been laid could be carried to completion, Agreement would be made lagter for details of scrapping the ships falling outside the proposed limitation. from Washington, and he stated he would do the best he could, that he had 150 soldiers parking cars in the territory under military supervision. Says lle Had Enough Police. “There were sufficient pollce yes- terday to cope with the situation, but lit would have been different regard- less of the number of men because with the roads solldly blocked the passage of vehicles out of the Dis- trict of Columbia_ could not have been accomplished. “Conditions in Potomac Park, which is under the supervision of the officer in charge of public buildings jand grounds, were the same as on the roadways leading to Virginia caused by the congestion on the Virginia roads.” CRQWD NEAR PANIC. | Fire Engines Try to Pass Through Throngs at Illumination. Attempts to move all the traffic in i the vicinity of the State, War and Navy building down New York ave- nue to 18th street last night, during the illumination for the arms confer- rence, developed a jam that the sev- eral score of policemen on duty had difficulty In breaking, even with the j2id of the sirens and bells on fire en- gines. { ‘With a solid )ane of automobiles five and six abreast moving slowly around the south side of the White | House, the fire engires made an at- tempt to get through, instead of fol- {lowing the line of least resistance { through north B street. The fire was |t 18th and E streets. The engines | were forced to stop for five minutes at a time, and although the drivers could see there was no possibility of i moving they continued clanging their I bells and blowing the sirens, almost throwing the crowd into a panic. Many automobilists, in an attempt to clear the road. jumped the curbing State, War and Navy building and drove onto lawns on the The police on duty at 17th street failed utterly in their attempts to make an opening for the fire appa- ratus, although the bells and sirens could be plainly heard when the en- gines entered fhe Ellipse. Chief Breaks Through Crowd. Pedestrians crowded 17th street south of New York avenue, was closed to vehlcular trafic. They arch of jewels. Just before 8 o'clock, | while the people were looking ex- jpectantly for the lighting, a fire de- partment chief returning from the fire broke through the crowd at E street and turned into 17th street. 1 The violent ringing of his bell sent the crowds scurrying to the pave- ments, already jammed with people trying to get closer to the arch. Pleadings of cool-headed people in the crowds not to hurry, as there was no danger, prevented what possibly might have resulted in a_number of people being crushed. The crowds fell back in place when the chief had passed, only to be forced to hustle a clearance again to make way for two fire engines. The failure of the engine companies to use other streets In returning from the fire after the need for haste was over was the source of much adverse comment on the fire department by scores of persons in the crowds. Preatdent in Jam, Shortly after the congestion caused by concentration of fire apparatus had been relieved somewhat, but while automobiles still were jammed from curb to curb on lower 18th street, all headed south regardless of traffic rules, President Harding's party turned into the thoroughfare from the cers, and the presidential chauffeurs experienced the third serious traffic tangle of the day. If the White House cars came through the ordeal with fenders and paint unscathed it was a miracle. jThe traffic lieutenants, foreheads per- spiring, fought, yard by yard, to open wider the wedge their sidecar ouvlfll managed to make in order that the Chief Executive might get to the switch, with which he was to signal for the outburst of light on the jeweled tower. Comes to Pause. Time after time the four high- powered machines carrying President and Mrs. Harding, military aides and numerous secret service men were compelled to come to a halt while a lane was being cleared through the mass of vehicles. of 18th street with B street the prob- lem was even greater and the Presi- dent’s limousine stood for a matter of minutes, during which period Mrs. Harding, unconcerned apparently over the traffic difficulties, took occasion to smile and wave at a small child in a small car alongside and to a group of bashful children gathered on_the curb. Finally a narrow passage leading to the court of honor was forced open, and, with secret service men on the running boards, the machines pushed their way clear of the jam. A moment or two later, but nearly a half hour after the scheduled time for starting_the electrical display, the great fillumination scheme blazed forth in all its glory. It is likely that a number of motor- ists will tell friends today that their cars have the distinction of having brushed fenders or running boards trafic eon?d qov_a{’ with the White House limousine last night. —_— The committee on forestry policy of the United States Chamber of Commerce, which is gathering data on which to base recommendations as to a national forest policy, ha: arranged to begin a series of hearings at New Orleans o ber 14. X portance of the merchant marine is a | armored surface craft under 3,000 | | could be built, exempt from terms of which | were waiting for the lighting of the | White House, led by motor cycle offi- | At the intersection | { -World Dignitaries About Counsel Table Hear President’s Doctrine of Hope and Good Will EXCLUSIVE PICTURE OF THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE ON THE LIMITATION OF ARMAMENT DEM[]ERA'"[; "]EA 3 The photograph shows the delegates grouped ahout the conference table in the general assembly room of Continental Hall, with Secretary Hughes, in center, reading his address, the Engzlish delegntes, Arthur J. Balfour, Lord Lee of Fareham and Ambassador Geddes, on Mr. Hughes left, and the American delegates on his right. Gen. Pershing is seen behind the Secretary of State, on his left. SECRETARY HUGHES GOES INTO DETAILS OF PLAN TO BRING RADICAL CURTAIL IN WORLD ARMAMENT (Continued from First Page.) consider the question of the limi- tation of urmament. Far Eastern Questions Press. “This, however, does not mean that we must postpone the exami- nation of far eastern questions. These questions of vast impor- tance press for solution. It is hoped that immediate provision may be made to deal with them adequately, and it is suggested that it may be found to be entire- Iy practicable through the distri- bution of the work among desig- nated committecs to make Prog- Tess to the ends sought to be achieved without either subject ng treated as a hindrance to the proper consideration and dis- position of the other. “The proposal to limit arma- ment by ian agreement of the pow- ers is not a new one, and we are admonished by the' futlity of earlier efforts.” It may be well to recall the mnoble aspirations were volced twenty-three in the imperial reseript v the Emperor of Rus- then pointed out with arity and emphasis that the inteliectual and pl 1 strength of the nations, labor and capital are for the major part diverted from their natural application and unproductively consumed. Hun- dreds of millions are devoted to acquiring terrible engines of ‘de- struction, which. though today re- garded as the last word of sclence, are destined tomorrow to lose all valuo {n consequence of some fresh discovery in the same fleld. Na- tional culture, economic progress which and the production of wealth are either paralyzed or checked In their development. ‘Moreover, in proportion as the armaments of each power increase, €0 do they less and less fulfill the object which the governments have set before themselves. The economic crises, due in great part to tho system of armaments a Toutrance and the continual dan- ger which lies in this massing of war materials, are transforming the armed peace of our davs into a crushing burden, which the peo~ ples have more and more difficulty in bearing. It appears evident, then, that if this state of things wera prolonged it would finevit- ably lead to the calamity which it is desired to avert and the horrors of which make every thinking man shudder in advance. To put an end to these Incessant arma- ments and to seek the means of warding off the calamities which are threatening the whole world —such {8 the supreme duty which 1s today imposed on all states. Russia Called Hague Meeting. “It was with this sense of obliga~ tion that his majesty the Emperor of Russia proposed the conference, which was ‘to occupy itself with this grave problem’ and which met at The Hague in the year 1899. Important as were the delibera~ tions and conclusions of that con- ference, especially with respect to the pacific settlement of interna- tional dlisputes, its result in the specific matter of limitation of armament went no further than the adoption of a final resolution setting forth the opinion ‘that the restriction of military charges, which are at ptesent a heavy bur- den on the world, is extremely de- sirable for the increase of the ma- terial and moral welfare of man- kind,' and the utterance of the wish that the governments ‘may examine the possibility of an agreement as to the limitation of armed forces by land and sea, and of war budgets.’ “It was seven years later that the Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Elihu Root, in answering a note of the Russmn ambassador, suggesting in outline a program of the second peace con- ference, said: ‘The government of the United States, therefore, feels it to be its duty to reserve for itself the liberty to propose to the second peace conference, as one 0f the subjects for consideration, thes reduction or limitation of arma- ments, in the hope that, if nothing further can be accomplished, some slight advance may be made to- ward the realization of the lofty conception which actuated the Em- peror of Russia In calling the first conference.’ \ “It is significant that the im- perial German government ex- pressed itself as ‘absolutely op- posed to the question of disarma- ment,’ and that the Emperor of Germany_ threatened to decline to send delegates If the subject of disarmament was, to be discussed. In i 8ol tion which had been adopted at the first Hague conference, the dele- gates of the United States were in- structed that the subject of limita- tion of armament ‘should be re- garded as unfinished business, and that the second conference should ascertain and give full con- sideration to the results of such examination as the governments may have given to the possibility of an agreement pursuant to the wish expreesed by the first confer- ence. Could Act Only by Resolution. “But by reason of the obstacles which the subject had encountered the second peace conference at The Hague, although it made notable progress in provision for the peaceful settlement of controver- sies, was unable to deal with limitation of armament except by a resolution in the follwoing gen- eral termrs: ‘The conference con- firms the resoiution adopted by the conference in 1899 in regard to the limitation of military expendi- ture; and inasmuch as military ex- penditure has considerably in- creased in almost every country since that time, the conference de- clares that it is eminently de- sirable that the governments should resume the serious exam- ination of this question.” “This was the fruition of the ef- forts of eight years. Although the effect was clearly perceived, the race in preparation of armament, wholly unaffected by these futile Buggestions, went on until it fit- tingly culminated in the greatest war of history; and we are now suffering from the unparalleled loss of life, the destruction of hopes, the economic dislocations and the widespread impoverish- ment which measure the cost of the victory over the brutal preten- sions of military force. Have Extraordinary Opportunity. *“But if we are warned by the inadequacy of earlier endeavors for limitation of armament, we cannot fail to recognize the ex- traordinary opportunity now pre- sented. We not only have the les- sons of the past to guide us, not only do we have the reaction from the disillusioning experience of war, but we must meet the chal- lenge of imperative economic de- mands, What was convenient or highly desirable before is now a matter of vital necessity. If there is to be economic rehabilitation, if the longings for reasonable prog- ress are not to be denied, if we are to be spared the uprisings of peoples made desperate in the de- sire to shake off burdens no longer endurable, competition in arma- ment must stop. “The present opportunity not only derives its advantage from a general appreciation of this ; fact, but the power to deal with the exigency now rests with a small group of nations, represent- ed here, who have every reason to desire peace and to promote amity. The astounding ambition which lay athwart the promise of the second Hague conference no longer menaces the world, and the great opportunity of liberty-loving and peace-preserving democracies has come. Is it not plain that the time has passed for mere reso- lutions that the responsible pow- ers should examine the question of limitation of armament? “We can no longer content our- selves with investigations, with statistics, with reports, with the circumlocution of inquiry. The essential facts are sufficiently known. The time has come, and this conference has been called, not for general resolutions or mutual advice, but for action. We meet with full understanding that the aspirations of mankind are not to be defeated either by plausible suggestions of postponement or by impracticable counsels of perfec- tion. Power and responsibility are here and the world awaits a prac- ticable program which shall at once be put into execution. “I am confident that I shall have your approval in suggesting that in this matter, as well as in others before the conference, it is desir- able to follow the course of pro- cedure which has the best promise of achlevement rather than one which would facilitate division; and thus, constantly aiming to agree 8o far as possible, we shall, with each point of agreement, make it easier to proceed to others. Limitation of Primary Importance. “The question, in relation to armament, which may be regard- ed as of primary importance at this time, and with which we can deal most promptly anad' vely, is the limitation of naval armament. There are certain gen- eral considerations which may be deemed pertinent to this subject. “The first is that the core of the_difficulty is to be found in the corfipetition in naval programs, and that, in order appropriately to limit naval armament, compe- tition In its production must be abandoned. Competition will not be remedled by resolves with re- spect to the method of its con- tinuance. One program inevitably leads to another, and if competi- tion continues, its regulation is impracticable. There is only one adequate way out and that is to end it now. “It is apparent that this cannot be accomplished without serious crifices. Enormous sums have en expended upon ships under construction, and building pro- grams which are now under way cannot be given up without heavy loss. Yet if the present construc- tion of capital ships goes forward other ships will inevitably be built to rival them, and this will lead to still others. Thus the race will continue so long as ability to con- tinue lasts. The effort to escape sacrifices is futile. We must face, them or yleld our purpose. Nome Should Aet Alone. “It is also clear that no ome of the naval powers should be ex- pected to make these sacrifices alone. The only hope of limita- tion of naval armament is by agreement among the nations con- cerned, and this agreement should be entirely fair and reasonable in the extent of the sacrifices re- quired of each of the powers. In considering the basis of such an agreement, and the commensu- rate sacrifices to be required, it s necessary to have regard to the existing naval strength of the great naval powers, including the extent of construction already ef- fected in the case of ships in process. This follows from the fact that one nation Is as free to compete as another, and each may find grounds for its action. What one may do another may demand the opportunity to rival, and we remain in the thrall of competitive effort. “I may add that the American delegates are advised by their naval experts that the tonnage of capital ships may fairly be taken to measure the relative strength of navies, as the provision for auxiliary combatant craft should sustain a reasonable relation to the capital ship tonnage allowed. t would also seem to be a vital part of a plan for the limitation ef naval armament that there should be a naval holiday. It is proposed that for a period of not less than ten years there should be no fur ther construction of capital shipa. “I am happy to say that I am at President’s Address Opening Arms Session (Continued from First Page.) liberty to go beyond these general propositions and, on behalf of the American delegation acting under the Instructions of the President | of the United States, to submit to you a concrete proposition for an agreement for the limitation of naval armament. i “It should be added that this proposal immediately concerns the British _empire, Japan and the Tnited States. In view of the ex- traordinary conditions due to- the world war affecting the existing strength of the naviés of France and Italy, it is not thought to be necessary to discuss at this stage of the proceedings the tonnage al- lowance of these nations, but the United States proposes that this matter be reserved for the later | consideration of the conference. i “In making the present proposal the United States is most solicitous to deal with the quesijon upon an entirely reasonable and practicable | basis. to the end that the just interests of ail shall be adequately guarded and that national security and defense shall be maintained. Four general principles have been applied: (1) That all capital-ship build- ing programs, either actual or | projected. should be abandoned; ' “(2) That further reduction should be made through the scrap- ping of certain of the older ships; “(3) That in general regard | should be had to the existing naval strength of the powers con- cerned; “(4) That the capital ship ton- | nage should be used as the meas- urement of strength for navies and a proportionate allowance of aux- iliary combatant craft prescribed. “The principal features of the proposed agreement are as fol- lows: Capital Ship Proposals. “United States: “The United States is now com- pleting its program of 1916 calling for ten mew battleships and six battle cruisers. One battleship has been completed. The others ’ are in various stages of construc- tion; in some cases from 60 to over 80 per cent of the construction has been done. On these fifteen capital ships now being built over $330,- 000,000 have been spent. Still, the United States is willing, in the in- terest of an Immediate limitation of naval armament, to scrap all these ships. “The United States proposes, if this plan is accepted: “(1) To scrap all capital ships now under_construction. This in- cludes six battle cruisers and sev- en battleships on the ways and in course of building, and two bat- tleships launched. “The total number of new capi- tal ships thus to be scrapped is fifteen. The total tonnage of the excess of its cost robs the people of the way to happiness and the opportunity to achieve. If the finer sentiments were not urging, the cold, hard facts of excessive cost and the eloquence of econom- ics would urge us to reduce our armaments. better order does not appeal, then let us ponder the burden and the blight of continued competition. It is not to be denied that the world has swung along through- out the ages without heeding this call from the kindlier hearts of men. But the same world never before was so tragically brought to realization of the utter futility of passion’s sway when redson and conscience and fellowship point a nobler way. I can speak officially only for our United States. Our hundred millions frankly want less of armament and none of war. Wholly free from guile, sure in our own minds that we harbor no unworthy designs, we accredit the world with the same good intent. So I welcome you, not alone in good will and high purpose, but with high faith. ‘We are met for a service of mankind. In all simplicity, in all honesty and all howor, there may be written here the avowals of 2 world conscience refined by the constirhing fires of war, and made more sensitive by the anxious aftermath. I hope for that under- standing which will emphasize the guarantees of peace, and for commitments to less burdens and a better order which will tran- quilize the world. In such an accomplishment there will be added glory to your flags and ours, and the rejoicing of mankind will 4 the, mfinx music of all succeeding time. : If the concept of a ) P paragraph is seven. The total ton- nage of these new capital ships, when completed, would be 289,100 new capital ships when completed would be 615,000 tons. “(2) To scrap all of the older battleships up to, but not includ- ing, the Delaware and North Da- kota. The number of these old tieships to be scrabped is teen. Their total tonnage is $227 740 tons. . “Thus the number. of capital ships to be scrapped by the United States, If tais plan is accepted. is thirty. with an aggregate (onnaxs (including that of ships in con- struction, if completed) of 845740 tons. Ships of Great Britain. “The plan contemplates that Great Britain and Japan shall take action which is fairly com- mensurate with this action on the part of the United States. “It is proposed that Great Brit- aln— “(1) 'Shall stop further con- struction of the four new Hoods. the new capital ships not laid down but upon which money has been spent. These four ships, if completed, would have connage displacement of 172,000 tons. “(2) Shall, in addition, scrap her pre-dreadnaughts, second-line bat- tleships and first-line battleships up to, but not including, the hing George V class. “These, with certain pre-drend- naughts which it is undersiood have already been scrapped, would amount to nineteen cap:tal ships and a tonnage reduction of 411,576 tons. “The total tonnags of ships thus to be scrapped by Great Britamn (including the tonnage of the four Hoods, if completed) would be 583,375 tone. Plan for Japan. It is proposed that Japan— “(1) Shall abandon her program of ships not yet laid down, viz, the Kil, Owari, No. 7 and No. 8 battie- ships, and Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8 battle cruisers. “It should be observed that this does not involve the stopping of construction, as the construction of none of these ships has been be- gun. ““(2) Shall scrap three capital ships (the Mutsu, raunched; the Tosa and Kago, in course of build- ing), and four battlecruisers (the Amagi and Akagl, in course of building, and the Atoga and Takao, not yet laid down, but for which certain material has been assem- bled). “The total number of new capi- tal ships to be scrapped under this tous. “(3) Shall scrap all pre-dread- naughts and battleships of the sec- ond line. This would include the scrapping of all ships up to but not including the Settsu—that is, the scrapping of ten older ships, with & total tonnage of 159,828 tons. “The total reduction of tonnage on vessels existing, laid down, or for which material has been as- sembled (taking the tonnage of the new shipe when completed) would be 448,928 tons. ‘Would Serap 1,878,043 Tons. “Thus, _under this plan there would be immediately destroyed, of the navies of the three powers, 66 capital fighting ships, built and building, with a total tonnage of 1,878,043, “It is proposed that it should be agreed by the United States, Great Britain and Japan that their navies, ‘with respect to capital ships, with- in three months after the making of the agreement shall consist of certain ships designated in the proposal and numbering for the United States 18, for Great Britain 22, for Japan 10. The tonnage of these ships would be as follows: Of the United States, 500,650; of Great Britain, 604,4560; of Japan, 299,700. In reaching this result, the age factor in the case of the respective navies has recglved appropriate consideration. Replacement. *“With respect to replacement, the United States proposes: “(1) That it be agreed that the first replacement tonnage shall not be laid down until ten years from the date of the agreement; “(2) That replacement be limitea by an agreed maximum of capital ship tonnage as follows: ‘For the United States, 500,000 ‘Q‘E.Por Great Britain, 500,000 tons. “For Japan, 300,000 tons. _subjeet to the ten-year ) POTENTIN JAPAN Younger Leaders Demard- ing Part of Navy Cost Be Diverted to Civic Needs. Although the Japanese delegation comes to the arms conference with its interest centered primarily in an in- ternational agreement to limit navil construction, it also has a very spe- clal interest in all problems affecting the Pacific ocean and far east Japan has always held to the theory, according to the prevailing opinion in the far east, that her geographical position in that part of the world, that the fact that she is the leading orfental power and that her growing necessity of meeting the require- ments of a population increasing at the rate of 700,000 yearly, all entitle her to a privileged position in the far Inn\-a.l building. The economic situa ®ast. It would, perhaps, be more exact to say that she feels she is entitled to a predominating position, more espe- cially with reference to China. China remains for Japan as her great problem. The Japanese them- selves have been divided to the point of internal controversy over how best to direct their policy toward their Chinese neighbors. Popular Voice Being Heard. Responsible Japanese statesmen, who have taiked freely 1o newspaper correspondents, say the Japanese financial situation will not permit her to continue in a limitless program of tion of the empire is not satisfactor; to its business and financial leaders. The popular voice of Jjapan is being Loeard louder and louder in favor of diverting the immense wealth that is being expended in warships to the more productive channels of educa- tion and home improvements. Never has the era of transition in Japan been Eo acute as it is today, when the younger generation, im- bued with “foreign ideas,” is demand- ing the development of the state along the liges of democracy. The desire for internal progress ard more po- litical rights is more and more pre- vailing among young Japan. Modern Japan is demanding that the civil elements in the empire shall have {more say in the guiding of national ipolicy and that the militarists shall | be forced to abandon their program of itrying to directly Influence, if not | monopolize, the policies of the coun- | try. { It is believed that the members of the Japanese delcgation have come to Washington with a full realization of the home situation, and look forward to when thev must return to Tokio and render an account of what they kave accomplished. Need of Food Supply. Japan has developed into an indus- trial country from an agricultural one. and after the hoped-for agree- ment on armament curtailment, it is considered likely that she will ask for the adoption of some principle by the conference which would rec- ognize that she is entitled to an ample supply of raw material to feed her growing industries. Japan does i not grow enough rice to nourish her own people, and she ix obliged yearly to purchase the essential grain from other countries. She would like some assurance, it is said, that the source of her food supply will not be cut off. She needs cotton for her spinning mills and will have an interest to see that the regular supply of cotton is maintained.” She will, it is believed, ask for the adoption of some principle voicing the conference’s conviction that Japan is entitled to equal oppor- | tunity, not only in the commerce of | the far east, but of the whole world. | , The vital question of emigration and the general vague question of racial | equality are possibilities from the ! Japanese standpoint, but the outlook during the pr iference days is that jJdapan may avo . pan ap- | parently recognizes the delicacy of the emigration question and would | prefer to have this question settled | directly between the states concerned; | in other words, between Japan and the { United States, with reference to the | Pacific coast and between Japan and | Great Britain with reference to Aus- | tralia, New Zealand and Canada. Japan also has an interest in the opening up for foreign trade and {residence of the interior provinces | of China, believing that if this be { formally authorized by the Chinese | republic it would open up new and i important fields to the products of the Japanese factories which are not finding in these days of intense post- i war competition the market which Jagan expected. In a few words. Japan Is expected to ask the conference to assure what she calls her “right of existence.” There are indications that Japan is somewhat anxious over the critical | tone of foreign opinion concerning her military activities in the far east, more especially_in Shantung and Si beria. The Japanese troops are atill In Siberia. The conference at Dairen between the representatives of the Chita government and .the Japanese, at which Japan hoped to sa- cure a definite_commercial arrasgd- ment with the Far Eastern Repubii¢. has not succeeded. It has been wug- gested that the Chita government has been delaying the negotiations be- cause it prefers to have tha ;fihgfl:n | problem settied at the Wa, glon conference. The Chita people tried to make the evacuation of Siberia a con- dition of the commerclal agreement, but Japan insisted that the with- { drawal of troops from Siberia must {be made at a time to be settled by Japan alone. The assassination of Premier Hara | threw the whole Japanese situation into confusion. Mr. Hara was the “strong man” of Japan, whom the plentipotentiaries would consult free- Iv by cable as the Washington con- | ference proceeded. The saying that no man is essential to the existence of a state is true in Japan as elsewhere, but Premier Hara had become a dom- {inant figure at a rather critical pe- | riod in the history of his countr: Pl el At A limitation above fixed and the maximum standard, capital ships may be replaced when they are twenty years old by new capital ship construction: “(4) That no capital ship shall be bullt in replacement with a ton- nage displacement of more than 35,000 tons. i "¥I have sketched the proposal only in outline, leaving the tech- nical details to be supplied by the formal proposition which is ready for submission to the delegates. ‘Would Limit Auxiliaries. “The plan includes provision for the limitation of auxiliary com- batant craft. This term embraces three classes—that is, (1) auxiliary surface combatant craft, such as cruisers (exclusive of battle cruisers), flotilla leaders, destroy- ers and various surface types; (2) submarines, and (3) airplane car- riers. “I shall not attempt to review the proposals for these variou: classes, as they bear definite relation to the provisions for capital fighting ships. “With the acceptance of* this plan the burden of meeting the de- mands of competition in naval armament will be lifted. Enor- mous sums will be released to ail the progress of clvilization. At the same time the proper demands of national defense will be ade- quately met and the natlons will have ample opportunity during the naval holiday of ten years to consider their future course. Pre- paration for offensive naval war ‘will stop now. “I shall not attempt at this time to take up the other topics whi have been listed upon the tentative agenda proposed anticipation of the conference.