Washington, Feb. 7.
Under the proposals framed by Col. Henry L. Stimson as head of the American delegation to the London Five-Power Naval Limite. tion Conference, in the event of the United States deciding upon a total of 18 big cruisers it would be necoss-Jary to build five which are already" contracted for and five additional, Inaval experts said to-day. sits crane of the total numbae ttle only! total of. sored cing but 15, it would be necessary
additional ships instead of ten, Senator Frederick Hale, chairman of the Senate Naval Committee, said to-day that Col. Henry L. Stimso naval offer "manifestly doos _né provide for American naval neod:
He served notice that the Senate will expect fully to consider the by actions of the American legation.
Senator Hale's statement furthest declared that the American Navy desired more than 18 10,000-taint cruisers. Ho said that the Stimsom proposal involves very radical changes from the position hereto= fore taken by the Navy, namely, foe a maximum tonnage and armament, allowance under the Washingtow Treaty.
Continuing, Senator Hale sai that "if our policy has been a correct one in the past, and if nothing: has occurred to change the wisdom that policy, Colonel Stimson is thus contemplating building at least 11 six-inch-gun cruisers at an ad~ ditional cost over the 15-cruiser programme with expenditure of ab "Even. this manifestly doos not provide for our needs."
Senator Hale said that he realizes the difficulties confronting tha American delegation in London.
"T have hoped, and still hope, that an agreement may be reached which will give us parity,".he wont om, "Our country demands and at the recognise our Ameri Senator Hale is characterized his friends as the Senatorial Spokes man for the "big navy" group.
Observers to-day recalled that Senator Hale opposed the: Senate'a [recent investigation into the. "big propaganda " activities of:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.