New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-01
Greatest Navv'
Aim of Daniels
Sti''s Capt. al
Even Supporters OF Power.
full Fleet Frowr, OF What
They Gall s'peace Bluff &C.
By Carter Field

WASHlNGTON. Dec. 31.-Frank and
open criticism of the biggest navy IN
the world talk b. Secretary Of tho
Nay Daniels INSPIRED. as he admitted
before the House Naval Con lttee. by
President Wilson--vas encountered on
every hand at the Capitol today.
Judging from comments of members of
both houses, there will be no flourish
from Congress hacking up what Mr.,
Dariels has admitted to members Of
The Naval Committee is bluff" 10
force England TO yield to American
IDEAS about freedom Of the seas and A
'aaeuc of nations
Men who have been advocating a
larger Navy for decades-who forced
an increase of preparedness at time.
lust after tho outbreak of the Euro
rcan war. when President Wilson and
the Administration generally. includ-
ing Southern Democratic leaders in
Congress. we're laughing at the pre-
paredness agitation az hysteria have
no sympathy with this gesture at this
time.
MIR Danieisf programme is frankly
called ''naper navy in Congressional
circles. There Is no belief anywhere
IN nis advocacy Of 3 big programme.
nor in the eoruineMess of his threat
that "f the conference a. Versailles
does not result IN 4 general agreement
to rut all end to al building or
the part of all the nations. then the
United states must band her Will and
bend her enereies. mus: give her men
and give her money 20 the task Of the
creation Of incomnarablr the greatosi
navy in the world
See Failure of bluff
There IS no belief. oven among the
friends Of tho Administration. that the
bluff" as + IS freely characterized b.
It's critics. viii have much effect. Some
friends o. the Administration deplore
IN This connection the recent speech
of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. the Re-
publican leader in the upper house, I'm
4 hlch ne saw no reason for this coun-
-ry striving 10 surpass Great Britain
IN sea power especially as the one
great menace which had threatened
his country and forced the necessity
e greater naval preparedness had been
destroyed by the, war
Senator Lodge is. after Senator pen-
'ose, the ranking Republican on the
laval Affairs Committee He has.
Working with Senator Swanson. Of Viz
,inia, drafted every naval bill for the
asst few years Senator Poindexter.
'ho will probably be chairman of this
committee after the Republicans Or
,anize the Senate, shares the view of
i'. Lodge that there is no reason IN
with Great Britain for =oa-
,ower. and made some hostile com
nents to-day on the prooriety Of Mr
Daniels statement before 1ha House
Naval Committee Yesterday
Mr.. Poindsxters statement vas Tic
more surprising because he has always
cen regarded. especially since the
'anama Canal tolls fight, IS anti-Bri--
sh.
II was recalled in this connection.
lovever that years ago Senator Lodge,
vho just before this country entered
he way was frequently called Tor"
oy the pro-Ge rmans, was called a
Lions Tail Twiseer.'
The position taken by Mr.. Danisls
csulted in considerable discussion 20
ay Of the Secrctary's failure. IN the
ovcral years prior 20 tho entrs Of this
ountry IN tie wa~ to cHrry OUT 1ae
ayal bills when Congress passed. He
elaycd ne awarding of contracts q
for years after he au-
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