The sun., 1919-05-28
DANIELS ADANDONS
Hts Big NAVY PLANS
Continued FROM First Puoe.

negotiations and undertakings concern
ing the League OF Nations The bill was
not sven taken up in the Senate Commit
tee and died with the Congress- ON
March &.
The naval committee Of the House, al
though for entirely different reasons, Id
in accord with Mr. Daniels's wish that M
new ships be authorized in the appro-
priution bill which must be passed before
July 1. These men made II clear that
they are we'll aware OF the utility Of
providing for ships which might be onso-
lete by the time contracts for them were
let and WORT actually started. Also the
committee generally shares the strong
desire OF the Republicans to put an end
to the competition among the Govern
ment departments in the matter or
spending money.
DANIELS Explains Position.
Explaining his position to-day Mr..
Daniels told the Committee:
IT recommended a second three year
building programme during the last
Congress and the House approved OK the
programme authorizing the President %
undertake prior to July 1920 the con-
OI IeH huu
ten scout cruisers. The bill authorized
the Secretary to report to Congress By
December 1, 1919, the lessons OF the war
and whether any new types OF ships
would be needed. The bill also provided
that II League OF Nations was created
all expenditures should be suspended.
That provision was placed In the bill
before the Peace Conference had taken
up the League Of Nations. Since that
time the conference has drafted tbs
covenant of the league. in which I have
the greatest confidence. It In the most
momentous document written in 1000
years and since America initiated it we
ought to show our faith and set an ex-
ample to the other nations representing
four fifths OF the world by not at this
time authorizing the increase in the
building programme.
I'm 1915, when the first three year
building programme was authorized, the
United States made the first move TO-
ward peaceful arbitration Of disputes by
authorizing the President TO summon
representatives OF all nations TO discuss
the peaceful settlement of international
disputes which heretofore have led to
war This I believe was the first Inn
portant step toward the serious consid-
GRAFTON Of a league Of nations"
would Complete Old Programme.
Although he said he thought It would
be an excellent example to the world not
to build any new ships, Mr.. Daniels, in
answer to questions, said that the ships
already authorized should be completed.
OF this programme none OF the ships
have been built. It Includes ten capital
fighting ships, six OF them battle
cruisers.
ct think we should have the navy in
creased by the uncompleted programme
and there will be no necessity for any
increase beyond this" Mr.. Daniels IN
sisted. "as have such faith In the
League OF Nations"
Representative Britten (ni.) asked
Mr.. Daniels what part OF the policing or
the seas the American navy would be
called upon % perform under the League
OF Nations scheme
lust what each nation would do IN
this respect and its policy as to future
naval construction cannot be decided"
the Secretary said, until our represent
tarives discuss with representatives OF
other nations these questions I might
add that the policy Of all the nations en-
Raged with us IN this wac has been To
stop new construction. Mr.. Lloyd
Ceorge. with whom I discussed this mat
ter. ia OF this opinion, and thu large view
Of all statesmen Is that the nations
which shall Become a part of the League
OF Nations should do nothing toward
siren athening their naval forces until
the League OF Nations shall become op-
erative."
The Coumittse. while t did not inter