New-York tribune., 1920-12-15
Senator Acts on Rumor
Britain and Japan Will
Seek Pact With u. S. to
Limit Warship Building
Would Reduce
Program so P. C.
Offers Resolution Direct
ing Wilson to Agree;
Daniels Scores the Idea

WASHINGTON, Dec 14-Rumored
intentions of Great Britain and Japan
to seek q tripartite agreement with
the United States for limitation of
warshir building programs came up to-
day in Congress.
In the Senate q resolution was Of
fered by Senator Borah, Republican, of
Idaho, requesting the President to seek
An agreement with those powers for a
five-year naval building truce. with
construction programs cut in half dur
ing that period. 1t would he said, "de-
velop whether Great Britain and Japan
are sincere in the talk of reducing
armaments"
Before the House Naval Committee
Secretary Daniels presented his recon-
mendations for naval construction with
this comment:
Il profoundly believe that the United
States cannot afford to take a tive-year
naval holiday, as it has been rumored
England and Japan will suggest to this
country.
at would be blunder, almost a
crime, for the United States to enter
an alliance with any two or three ma
tions either to suspend or curtail naval
building or for any other purpose. 1t
would certainly make for suspicion
among the other nations"
Senator Borah's resolution went to
the Foreign Relations Committee with
out debate. The Idaho Senator said
he would urge prompt action.
The House Naval Committee prepared
to inquire into the relative strength
of the navies Of the three powers. It
was informed by Admiral Coontz. Chief
of Naval Operations, who accompanie ID
Secretary Daniels. that if all building
were suspended to-day, the comparative
capital ships tonnage figures would be :
Great Britain, $4,000; United States,
468,00o; Japan. 326,00O The officer:
was instructed to be ready tomorrow
to discuss in detail at an executive ses-
sion. the question of relative strength
existing and projected
The text Of Mr.. Borah's resolution
folows
Whereas, a representative and Off
cial of the Japanese government has
advised the world that the Japanese
government cannot consent even to
consider program of disarmament on
account of the naval building program
of The United States, and
wv hereas, by this statement the
world is informed and is expected to
believe that Japan sincerely desires to
support program of disarmament
but cannot do so in safety to herself
on account of the attitude and build
ing program of this government, and
Whereas, the only navies whose size
and efficiency require the conside alton
OF this government in determining the
question of the size of its navy are
those of Great Britain and Japan, two
governments long associated by an all-
ance, and
"Whcreas, the United States is now
and has ever been in favor Of prac-
tical program of disarmament,
Nov, therefore, be it resolved by
the Senate and House of Representa-.
tives of the United States in Congress
assembled, that the President of the
United States is reqested, if not in.
compatible with the public interests
to advise the governments OF Great
Britain and Japan respectively that
this government will at once take ur
directly with these governments anc
Wi hout waiting the action of any other
nation, the question of disarmament
with view of quickly coming to ar
understanding by which the building
programs Of each of these govern
ments, to wit, of Great Britain, Japar
and the United States, shall be reduced
annually during the next five years tc
so per cent of the present rate.
Second that it is the sense Of the
Congress that in case such an under
standing can be reached it will con
form in its appropriations and build
ing program to such an agreement.
"Resoved further that this plar
is suggested by the Congress of the
United States in order to bring abou
a substantial reduction in the nava
armaments of the world"