The sun., 1919-02-05
HOUSE IN STORM
OVER WILSON'S
NAVY MESSAGE
Padgett Declines to Give
Out Text of Cable. De-
spite Demands.
no INDICATION OF CLUB
Chairman Will Not Affirm or
Deny Word .'Fatal" Is
in Despatch.
no INDICATION OF CLUB
SPECIAL Despatch 10 THE suN.

SPECIAL Despatch TO THE suN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. adjudication in
THE Sun to-day Of an extract from the
Presidents cable stating that failure
Of the three year naval building pro-
sramme would be fatal to my neso-
tiations" brought down on the House
Naval Affairs Committee a flood OF
pertinent inquiries and observations
when debate on the bill began in the
House to-day. 1t developed that the
,able despatch was sent to Secretary
Daniels and by him forwarded to Rep
,esentative Padgett (Tenn.), chairman
OF the committee.
In face Of an insistent demand from
Republican leaders that he let the
House know as much as the Naval
Affairs Committee was permitted to
know OF the Presidents reasons Tor
wanting a big naval building pro-
gramme while negotiating for interna-
tional disarmament, Mr.. Padgett de-
cuned to give out the text OF the des-
patch or any part of 1t.
Regarding the authenticity OF the
words quoted in THE SUN from the
.ablegram Mr.. Padgett said he neither
would affirm nor deny whether the
words appeared.
No Indication OF Club.
Representative Campbell (kan.) suG
gsstsd that the President might wish
The authorization to use as a club over
disarmament. Representative Padgett
replied there was no indication of such
purpose IN the despatch.
Did the President say in his cable
gram in substance that the failure OF
the three year programme would be
fatal to his negotations?" asked Rep
rssentative Rogers CMass.). Did he
uss the word Tataig'"
Mr.. Padgett refused to quote the
exact language of the cable.
Does not the gentleman think" asked
Mr.. Rogers. Eat time like this that Is
so critical that the Congress should
have all the information in reference to
policy concerning the American
people which the Committee on Naval
Affairs has in order to enable 1t to
make up its mind?'
This query was applauded
"All 1 can say is" replied Mr.
Padgett, that the critical time 10 not
limited to here: it Is over there also
and it would not be proper for me to
give the words that were used. I will
not give the words"
In reply to a question by Representa-
tive Graham CIli.) Mr.. Padgett said the
Presidents cable was the one reason
that this report here Is unanimous"
Facts or Opinion.
ut does not seem conceivable to me.
said Representative Campbell after re-
ferring to the work Of the Peace Con
ference, that the man who is leadins
the programme for settling internationa
differences without resort to arms who
IS leading a programme OF progressiv.
disarmament and who has insisted or
open diplomacy. would secretly ask tn,
Naval Committee to Insist upon a naya
programme that the Congress and tn.
country could not understand or know
about Now are the contents OF tn,
cablegram n statement OF facts or q
statement of the position or opinion o.
the President?'
These matters have been submitted &c
the President" replied Mr.. Padgett, "a.
TO the League of Nations and the dis
armament question and postponing tn,
authorization OF the building programme
ana the President insists that we shall
30 ahead with the building programme
the three year programme"
While he lis in Paris leading for q
!rosramme of progressive disarma
ment?' queried Mr.. Campbell.
Yes, sir that is what he Is dong,
Bad Mr.. Padgett
us II the intention that Congress.
pressed Mr.. Campbell. ''notwithsta nd ins
the programme OF world disarmamen I
should give this authorization for an in
creased naval establishment to enabl,
ths President to hold that over thos,
with whom he is now In consultation
is Il a threat"
There vas no expression or iudica
zion OF any such purpose in his ca Bile :
replied Mr. Padgett.
Mann Insist. .. InScrmstsc..
Representative Mann CIll.) Republi
ran moor leader, insisted that the Hous,
was entitled TO the facts before acting
II II was necessary TO get a cabl,
ron the President to have this bill TO
ported out by the committee" said Mr.
Mann, should not the Secretary of tn.
Navy make public to the House the con
tents OF the cable to get the bill passed
through the House?'
Il have told the House all Il could
eNpect me to tell and not quote the word,
OF the President" replied Mr.. Padsett
Il do not wish to embarrass the gen
'enan," continued Mr.. Mann, but wha
want to get at and what the countr,
wants to know, IL whether Congress II
hsked In blind way. without informa
non' without laying the cards on tn,
Table. to vote an immense naval pro
gramme when the information which
would influence Congress is in Wash
inston."
Again Mr.. Padgett refused to furnis,
further Information and Mr.. Mann said
The gentleman has been very eour
teous. but he Is not the Administr ton
what We want to know Is whether tn,
administration will give US the informa
ton furnished 70 the committee"
General applause followed this state
hnent.
Quotes President.
Representative Longworth ionic
reading from the Presidents last mes
fase 10 Congress. called Mr. Padgett'
attention to this language: II shall b
N CLOSE touch with you and with AT
airs on this side Of the water and 20,
VII know all that I do"
Under these circumstances does no
The Renffsnap think soFnS afiafai In th