Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-12
Party Lines Not Altogether o.
served in Voting, but Major
ity of Republicans Opposed
the Measure.
PROGRAM DECLARED
BLUFF AT ENTENTE
Republican Leader Mann Says
Proposal Is Plain Attempt to
Influence Action of Peace
Conference,

Washington, Feb. t1.--Administra
tion leaders in the house tonight won
their fight for a declaration by CON
gress of a policy of naval expansion
unless limitation of world armament
is agreed upon at the peace confer
ence. After an all day debate the
house voted 1914 to 142 to approve
the three year building program of
ten battleships and ten scout cruisers
and Immediately afterward adopted
the entire naval appropriation bin.
The vote on the adoption of the bill
was Isl to SO, AS finally approved
the measure carries a total of $721,-
100000 for the naval establishment
during the next fiscal year, including
79,000,000 for the unfinished part
OF the first three year program
adopted in 1916.
The house adopted, 2O5 to 14S, a
resolution OF the rules committee
the naval expansion policy
legislation in order, thus overcoming
a parliamentary advantage gained
yesterday by Republican Leader
Mann, whose points of order against
the program had been sustained by
Representative Garrett of Tennessee
democrat temporarily presiding.
Party Lines Ignored.
Neither the vote ON the resolution
nor on final approval of the program
was entirely on party lines, but the
republicans on each roll call cast
the majority of opposition votes. A
hundred and twenty-five republicans
fourteen democrats, an Independent,
a prohibitionist and socialist voted
in the negative; l57 democrats, 35
an Independent and a
voted affirmatively
Except for a minor amendment,
The building program legislation was
adopted by the house as drafted by
the naval committee. The amend
ment by Representative Humphreys
Of Mississippi, democrat, provided
no construction authorized under the
program could be started before June
/. 1920. instead of Feb, /, 1920, as
provided by the original bill,
A legislative rider inserted in the |
1ouso forbids the navy department
luying wireless stations or paying for
hose already purchased out of funds |
n the new bill,
Bluff Alleged.
Opposition to the new building |
program was expressed again today
)y Republican Leader Mann and |
,ther republicans and democrats on
that no declaration of pol
cy should be made as a bluff" de-
;igned to influence the peace confer
nee. Supporters replied President
wilson had asked for the declara-
ion, and that the policy would be
,arried out if the peace conference
lid not agree to limitation of world
armament,
Representative Mondell of Wyom-
ng criticised the policy of he big
tick which he said the president
vas furthering, as neither seemly
lor persuasive" He said the peace
conference was aware that America
oud build a big navy. so 1--WE need
lot try to bluff the diplomats"
Representative Good of Iowa, re-
publican, said sentiment of the Am
rican people was for a league of
ations and that to declare for a
reater navy would be dishonest
nd dishonorabe." Similar argu-
nent was made by Representative
owner of Iowa, republican, who de-
Jared approval of the program
would "enable other nations to ac-
use the president of bad faith when
e advocated disarmament.