Omaha daily bee., 1920-12-16
Americas Bid for Disarmament.

Relief from the heavy burden OF armament
is offered, not bv the League of Nations, whose
weak handling Of. the problem is discouraging,
but by resolution introduced in the congress
of the United States by Senator Borah. His pro-
posal to request the president to invite England
and Japan into = three-sided agreement with
America to curtaii their respective naval build
ing plans by 50 perNcent each year for FIVE years
offers practical method of ending a rivalry
that may become perilous and exhausting
This Is not the first time such naval holt
day has been proposed. A few years before the
world war; ,Safter Germany had resolved to match
the British feet, Lord Churchill, acting for the
government, proposed an arrangement OF this
kind Germany under the control Of the
junkers, refused the proffer, being able to point
out that while Great Britain might not build
any more shir.. extensive programs were being
carried on by ts firm allies, Russia and France.
1t Is difficult to see where America can be
accused Of insncerity in its offer. In the assem-
bly, of the League OF Nations the excuse has
been offered that without the assent of the
United States no practical move can be made
toward disarmament. The committee report,
criticised BY British labor delegate and Nor
wegan member as too much quibble and NOT
enough pluck" recommended an effort to pre-
vent the Increase OF armament, mainly by the
use Of world propaganda which is expected
to bear fruit at some remote date. With the
opening which would be given by the adoption
of Senator Borah's resolution, it is difficult to
imagine any honorable reason why either Japan
or Great Britain should refuse to come into con-
ference.
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels opposes the
Borah plan by saying that the United States
would arouse distrust by striking an agreement
with any two or three nations and not with all
the others. The futility of hope for such general
agreement is shown by the faltering behavior Of
the League Of Nations. There is nothing wrong
in recognizing the fact that the American,
British and japanese navies are the leading ones
of the world, and that these three nations are
now entering costly contest to OUTRAGE each
other. Az the country with the most means,
America is in the position Of being able to out
build its rivals. and such. being the case the
offer Of holiday comes with the greatest force
from u.s.
When the ships now building are completed,
America will have a navy equal to, or excelling
that Of Great Britain. II this rate Of expansion
were to be maintained, Britannia would soon be
far outstripped. Here is what the United States
has under construction right now: II battle
ships costing. from 80 to 40 million dollars each.
six battle cruisers costing 40 million each, 50
second class cruisers, one third class cruiser. 20
destroyers, 50 submarines, four seagoing tugs,
nine mine sweepers and three fuel ships. Without
these the feet has 795 war vessels fit for serv-
ice, and when the new armada is finished there
will be $50 ships with displacement of 100000
tons more than that of 1912.
In the interest Of American taxpayers and
those Of the other nations and in the interest Of
world peace. some understanding among the ma
tione to halt this extfavagant competition of
ornaments is to be hoped for. A beginning
must be made, and since help is not Forthcoming
from the League Of Nations those, countries
with the greatest fleets ought, to recognize the
world desire for an end Of this burden and get
together 6er