Proposal for a Limitation of Naval Armament, Presented by the Secretary of State at the First Plenary Session of the Conference, November 12, 1921 55
The United States proposes the following plan for a limitation of the naval armament of the conferring nations. The United States believes that this plan safely guards the interests of all concerned.
In working out this proposal the United States has been guided by four general principles:
- (A)
- The elimination of all capital ship building programs, either actual or projected.
- (B)
- Further reduction through the scrapping of certain of the older ships.
- (C)
- That regard should be had to the existing naval strength of the conferring Powers.
- (D)
- The use of capital ship tonnage as the measurement of strength for navies and a proportionate allowance of auxiliary combatant craft prescribed.
Capital Ships
united states
1. The United States to scrap all new capital ships now under construction and on their way to completion. This includes 6 battle [Page 54] cruisers and 7 battleships on the ways and building, and 2 battleships launched.
Note.—Paragraph 1 involves a reduction of 15 new capital ships under construction, with a total tonnage when completed of 618,000 tons. Total amount of money already spent on 15 capital ships, $332,000,000.
2. The United States to scrap all battleships up to, but not including, the Delaware and North Dakota.
Note.—The number of old battleships scrapped under paragraph 2 is 15; their total tonnage is 227,740 tons. The grand total of capital ships to be scrapped is 30, aggregating 845,740 tons.
great britain
3. Great Britain to stop further construction of the 4 new Hoods.
Note.—Paragraph 3 involves a reduction of 4 new capital ships not yet laid down, but upon which money has been spent, with a total tonnage when completed of 172,000 tons.
4. In addition to the 4 Hoods, Great Britain to scrap her pre-dreadnaughts, second-line battleships, and first-line battleships up to but not including the King George V class.
Note.—Paragraph 4 involves the disposition of 19 capital ships (certain of which have already been scrapped) with a tonnage reduction of 411,375 tons. The grand total of ships scrapped under this agreement will be 583,375 tons.
japan
5. Japan to abandon her program of ships not yet laid down, viz, the Kii, Owari, No. 7, No. 8, battleships, and Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8, battle cruisers.
Note.—Paragraph 5 does not involve the stopping of construction on any ship upon which construction has begun.
6. Japan to scrap 3 battleships: the Mutsu launched, the Tosa and Kaga building; and 4 battle cruisers: the Amagi and Akagi building, and the Atago and Takao not yet laid down but for which certain material has been assembled.
Note.—Paragraph 6 involves a reduction of 7 new capital ships under construction, with a total tonnage when completed of 289,100 tons.
7. Japan to scrap all predreadnaughts and capital ships of the second line. This to include the scrapping of all ships up to but not including the Settsu.
[Page 55]Note.—Paragraph 7 involves the scrapping of 10 older ships with a total tonnage of 159,828 tons. The grand total reduction of tonnage on vessels existing, laid down, or for which material has been assembled is 448,928 tons.
france and italy
8. In view of certain extraordinary conditions due to the World War affecting the existing strengths of the navies of France and Italy, the United States does not consider necessary the discussion at this stage of the proceedings of the tonnage allowance of these nations, but proposes it be reserved for the later consideration of the Conference.
other new construction
9. No other new capital ships shall be constructed during the period of this agreement except replacement tonnage as provided hereinafter.
10. If the terms of this proposal are agreed to then the United States, Great Britain, and Japan agree that their navies, three months after the making of this agreement, shall consist of the following capital ships:
List of Capital Ships
| United States | Great Britain | Japan | |
| Maryland | Royal Sovereign | Nagato | |
| California | Royal Oak | Hiuga | |
| Tennessee | Resolution | Ise | |
| Idaho | Ramillies | Yamashiro | |
| Mississippi | Revenge | Fu-So | |
| New Mexico | Queen Elizabeth | Settsu | |
| Arizona | Warspite | Kirishima | |
| Pennsylvania | Valiant | Haruna | |
| Oklahoma | Barham | Hi-Yei | |
| Nevada | Malaya | Kongo | |
| Texas | Benbow | ||
| New York | Emperor of India | ||
| Arkansas | Iron Duke | ||
| Wyoming | Marlborough | ||
| Utah | Erin | ||
| Florida | King George V | ||
| North Dakota | Centurion | ||
| Delaware | Ajax | ||
| Hood | |||
| Renown | |||
| Repulse | |||
| Tiger | |||
| Total | 18 | 22 | 10 |
| Total tonnage | 500,650 | 604,450 | 299,700 |
disposition of old and new construction
11. Capital ships shall be disposed of in accordance with methods to be agreed upon.
replacements
12. (a) The tonnage basis for capital ship replacement under this proposal to be as follows:
| United Status | 500,000 tons |
| Great Britain | 500,000 tons |
| Japan | 300,000 tons |
(b) Capital ships 20 years from date of completion may be replaced by new capital ship construction, but the keels of such new construction shall not be laid until the tonnage which it is to replace is 17 years of age from date of completion. Provided, however, that the first replacement tonnage shall not be laid down until 10 years from the date of the signing of this agreement.
(c) The scrapping of capital ships replaced by new construction shall be undertaken not later than the date of completion of the new construction and shall be completed within 3 months of the date of completion of new construction; or if the date of completion of new construction be delayed, then within 4 years of the laying of the keels of such new construction.
(d) No capital ships shall be laid down during the term of this agreement whose tonnage displacement exceeds 35,000 tons.
(e) The same rules for determining tonnage of capital ships shall apply to the ships of each of the Powers party to this agreement.
(f) Each of the Powers party to this agreement agrees to inform promptly all of the other Powers party to this agreement concerning:
- (1)
- The names of the capital ships to be replaced by new construction;
- (2)
- The date of authorization of replacement tonnage;
- (3)
- The dates of laying the keels of replacement tonnage;
- (4)
- The displacement tonnage of each new ship to be laid down;
- (5)
- The actual date of completion of each new ship;
- (6)
- The fact and date of the scrapping of ships replaced.
(g) No fabricated parts of capital ships, including parts of hulls, engines, and ordnance, shall be constructed previous to the date of authorization of replacement tonnage. A list of such parts will be furnished all Powers party to this agreement.
(h) In case of the loss or accidental destruction of capital ships they may be replaced by new capital ship construction in conformity with the foregoing rules.
[Page 57]Auxiliary Combatant Craft
13. In treating this subject auxiliary combatant craft have been divided into three classes:
- (A)
- Auxiliary surface combatant craft.
- (B)
- Submarines.
- (C)
- Airplane carriers and aircraft.
(a) auxiliary surface combatant craft
14. The term auxiliary surface combatant craft includes cruisers (exclusive of battle cruisers), flotilla leaders, destroyers, and all other surface types except those specifically exempted in the following paragraph.
15. Existing monitors, unarmored surface craft, as specified in paragraph 16, under 3,000 tons, fuel ships, supply ships, tenders, repair ships, tugs, mine sweepers, and vessels readily convertible from merchant vessels are exempt from the terms of this agreement.
16. No new auxiliary combatant craft may be built exempt from this agreement regarding limitation of naval armaments that exceed 3,000 tons displacement and 15 knots speed, and carry more than four 5-inch guns.
17. It is proposed that the total tonnage of cruisers, flotilla leaders, and destroyers allowed each Power shall be as follows:
| For the United States | 450,000 tons |
| For Great Britain | 450,000 tons |
| For Japan | 270,000 tons |
Provided, however, that no Power party to this agreement whose total tonnage in auxiliary surface combatant craft on November 11, 1921, exceeds the prescribed tonnage shall be required to scrap such excess tonnage until replacements begin, at which time the total tonnage of auxiliary combatant craft for each nation shall be reduced to the prescribed allowance as herein stated.
Limitation of new construction
18. (a) All auxiliary surface combatant craft whose keels have been laid down by November 11, 1921, may be carried to completion.
(b) No new construction in auxiliary surface combatant craft except replacement tonnage as provided hereinafter shall be laid down during the period of this agreement; provided, however, that such nations as have not reached the auxiliary surface combatant craft tonnage allowances hereinbefore stated may construct tonnage up to the limit of their allowance.
[Page 58]Scrapping of old construction
19. Auxiliary surface combatant craft shall be scrapped in accordance with methods to be agreed upon.
(b) submarines
20. It is proposed that the total tonnage of submarines allowed each Power shall be as follows:
| For the United States | 90,000 tons |
| For Great Britain | 90,000 tons |
| For Japan | 54,000 tons |
Provided, however, that no Power party to this agreement whose total tonnage in submarines on November 11, 1921, exceeds the prescribed tonnage shall be required to scrap such excess tonnage until replacements begin, at which time the total tonnage of submarines for each nation shall be reduced to the prescribed allowance as herein stated.
Limitation of new construction
21. (a) All submarines whose keels have been laid down by November 11, 1921, may be carried to completion.
(b) No new submarine tonnage except replacement tonnage as provided hereinafter shall be laid down during the period of this agreement; provided, however, that such nations as have not reached the submarine tonnage allowance hereinbefore stated may construct tonnage up to the limit of their allowance.
Scrapping of old construction
22. Submarines shall be scrapped in accordance with methods to be agreed upon.
(c) airplane carriers and aircraft 56
airplane carriers
23. It is proposed that the total tonnage of airplane carriers allowed each Power shall be as follows:
| United Status | 80,000 tons |
| Great Britain | 80,000 tons |
| Japan | 48,000 tons |
Provided, however, that no Power party to this agreement whose total tonnage in airplane carriers on November 11, 1921, exceeds the prescribed tonnage shall be required to scrap such excess tonnage until replacements begin, at which time the total tonnage of airplane carriers for each nation shall be reduced to the prescribed allowance as herein stated.
Limitation of new construction
24. (a) All airplane carriers whose keels have been laid down by November 11, 1921, may be carried to completion.
(b) No new airplane carrier tonnage except replacement tonnage as provided herein shall be laid down during the period of this agreement; provided, however, that such nations as have not reached the airplane carrier tonnage hereinbefore stated may construct tonnage up to the limit of their allowance.
Scrapping of old construction
25. Airplane carriers shall be scrapped in accordance with methods to be agreed upon.
Auxiliary Combatant Craft
replacements
26. (a) Cruisers 17 years of age from date of completion may be replaced by new construction. The keels for such new construction shall not be laid until the tonnage it is intended to replace is 15 years of age from date of completion.
(b) Destroyers and flotilla leaders 12 years of age from date of completion may be replaced by new construction. The keels of such new construction shall not be laid until the tonnage it is intended to replace is 11 years of age from date of completion.
(c) Submarines 12 years of age from date of completion may be replaced by new submarine construction, but the keels of such new construction shall not be laid until the tonnage which the new tonnage is to replace is 11 years of age from date of completion.
(d) Airplane carriers 20 years of age from date of completion may be replaced by new airplane carrier construction, but the keels of such new construction shall not be laid until the tonnage which it is to replace is 17 years of age from date of completion.
(e) No surface vessel carrying guns of caliber greater than 8 inches shall be laid down as replacement tonnage for auxiliary combatant surface craft.
[Page 60](f) The same rules for determining tonnage of auxiliary combatant craft shall apply to the ships of each of the Powers party to this agreement.
(g) The scrapping of ships replaced by new construction shall be undertaken not later than the date of completion of the new construction and shall be completed within 3 months of the date of completion of the new construction, or, if the completion of new tonnage is delayed, then within 4 years of the laying of the keels of such new construction.
(h) Each of the Powers party to this agreement agrees to inform all of the other Powers party to this agreement concerning:
- (1)
- The names or numbers of the ships to be replaced by new construction;
- (2)
- The date of authorization of replacement tonnage;
- (3)
- The dates of laying the keels of replacement tonnage;
- (4)
- The displacement tonnage of each new ship to be laid down;
- (5)
- The actual date of completion of each new ship;
- (6)
- The fact and date of the scrapping of ships replaced.
(i) No fabricated parts of auxiliary combatant craft, including parts of hulls, engines, and ordnance will be constructed previous to the date of authorization of replacement tonnage. A list of such parts will be furnished all Powers party to this agreement.
(j) In case of the loss or accidental destruction of ships of this class they may be replaced by new construction in conformity with the foregoing rules.
Aircraft
27. The limitation of naval aircraft is not proposed.
Note.—Owing to the fact that naval aircraft may be readily adapted from special types of commercial aircraft, it is not considered practicable to prescribe limits for naval aircraft.
General Restriction on Transfer of Combatant Vessels of All Classes
28. The Powers party to this agreement bind themselves not to dispose of combatant vessels of any class in such a manner that they later may become combatant vessels in another navy. They bind themselves further not to acquire combatant vessels from any foreign source.
29. No capital ship tonnage nor auxiliary combatant craft tonnage for foreign account shall be constructed within the jurisdiction of any one of the Powers party to this agreement during the term of this agreement.
[Page 61]Merchant Marine
30. As the importance of the merchant marine is in inverse ratio to the size of naval armaments, regulations must be provided to govern its conversion features for war purposes.