A COMPROMISE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 34, 10 February 1930, Page 7

A COMPROMISE

THE CRUISER PROBLEM ♦_ STATEMENT BY MR. STIMSON AN EFFORT TO EFFECT PARITY. [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] [ British Official Wireless J RUGBY, Feb. 6. In a statement to the Press of the world this evening, Mr Stimson referred to the progress of the Naval Conference. He pointed out that Britain and America had already agreed to parity in principle. It was now possible to go further. American delegates had suggested as regards Britain immediate parity in every class of ship. America at present has the advantage of 30.000 tons in large cruiser tonnage and Britain of 42,000 in light cruiser tonnage. The United States suggests that each country have the option of exactly duplicating the other’s cruiser fleet, Britain reducing the number of small cruisers and America vice versa. As regards battleships, America suggests a reduction on both sides in order to give equality in 1931 instead of in 1942. America suggests equal tonnage of destroyers, aircraft carriers, and the lowest submarine tonnage possible. America would welcome the abolition of submarines if all five Powers consented but she suggests in any event that they do not attack merchantmen without providing safety for passengers. In the second place, as regards Japan, Mr Stimson states that America suggests the same ratio for every ' class of ship. America has not made proposals to France and Italy, but has made suggestions. A settlement between France and Italy is essential to the contemplated agreement. The American delegates maintain agreement on every item, and are hopeful. Historic Statement. Among the momentous events in the history of Anglo-American relations will be the statement issued by Mr H. L. Stimson last night. This proposes to solve the cruiser problem which was not solved by Messrs Hoover and MacDonald, by giving the United States eighteen large cruisers and Britain 15, and compensating Britain with 42,000 tons advantage in small cruisers.

The Daily Telegraph’s naval correspondent says that if complete parity be achieved, next year Britain must presumably be prepared to scrap four Iron Dukes now, the organised training squadron, and possibly also the battlecruiser Tiger. The United States must discard at least the three battelships Utah, Florida, and Arkansas or Wyoming. A sensible compromise seems to have been reached as regards cruiser tonnage. The difficulty of America’s 18 8-inch guns against the British 15 6-inch will be removed by the proposed system of transfer between the 8-inch and 6-inch class. We may take it for granted that competitive building in the heavy cruiser class is now over between the United States and Britain. The same may be said, indeed, of every category of warship. The result will possibly be unpalatable to American economists, as the United States, in order to obtain parity, must build ten 10,000-ton cruisers in addition to the eight already afloat or on the stocks. The Times, in an editorial, says that no one in Britain or the United States regards war within the range of possibility, but navies of approximate equal strength will help to put war completely out of the question and give the nations a sense of comfort and security. The details will require careful examination. There may be some adjustment, but the statement seems to offer a basis acceptable to both countries.

PROPOSALS SUMMARISED THE CRUISER STRENGTHS LONDON, Feb. 7. The American naval proposals may be summariesd thus: The United States recede from its original claim to have 21 10,000-ton cruisers against Britain’s fifteen, so that the respective figure will eventually be: America 18, Britain 15, giving the former an advantage of 30,000 tons. She recognises, however, Britain’s need for smaller cruisers, of which she will have an excess of 40,000 tons, leaving a net cruiler margin in Britain’s favour of 12,>OO tons. The scheme permits Britain to change her programme if she thinks it necessary, by increasing the large cruisers to 18 and making a proportionate reduction in smaller craft. It is understood on the best authority that Mr MacDonald and Mr Stimson, in the light of America’s new proposals. are determined that if they are unable to reconcile the Franco-Italian demands in a general scheme, the conference will produce a definite and satsifactory Anglo - American-Japanese agreement. The tonnage committee appointed yesterday has made considerable progress and will meet again on February 8.

Cutting Down Tonnage. The present capital ships situation js that Britain has 20, the United States 18, and Japan 10. The Washington Treaty compels’ Britain and the United States to’reduce to 15 by 1936, wherefore of her 20 Britain scraps ten and may build five new ships; the United States scraps eight of her 18 and builds five: Japan scraps four of her ten and builds three. Britain hopes for an agreement’ for the abolition of battleships in view of their doubtful value, owing to their cost, also the aevelopment of aerial and submarine •ffieiency; but in any case she expects an exchange of Conference delegates’ views on the suggested reduction of size from 35.000 tons to 25,000 tons. 16-inch to 12-ineh . guns, lengthening the age from 20 to 26 years.. The. Government would limit the tonnage and gun-calibre of aircraft carriers, and suggests that vessels of 10.000 tons and under, employed as aircraft carriers, should be included in the total tonnage. The Government proposes a reduction of British and American aircraft tonnage from 135.000 to 100,000, adjusting the other nations’ quota to the Washington ratios. The Anglo-American conversation assumed the subdivision of cruisers into 8-inchers and 6-inchers, Britain’s requirements being 50 cruisers of a total tonnage of 339,000 and a life of 20 years, the conference decision regarding limitation and size of units to govern the final ’ arrangements. It is proposed that the limit of tonnage for destroyers be 1850 for leaders and 1500