The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-15

a crime. for the United States to enter into an alliance with any two or three nations either to suspend pr curtail naval building or for any other purpose. It would certainly make for suspicion among the other nations"
 The text of Senator Borah's resolu- tion follows:
 'Whereas, a representative and off, cial of the Japanese government has advised the world that the Japanese government cannot consent event to consider a programme of disarmament on account of the naval building pro- gramme of the United States.
 And whereas, this statement the world is informed and is expected to be- lieve that Japan sincerely desires to support a programme of disarmament, but cannot in safety to herself on ac- count of the attitude and building pro- gramme of this government, and
 Whereas, the only nayies whose size and efficiency requires the considera- tion of this government in determining the ques Hon of the size of it's navy are those of Great Britain and Japan, two governments long associated-by an allil ance, and,
 U. s. FAVORS DISARMAMENT
 "Whereas. the United States is now and has ever been in favor of practi- cal programme of disarmament,
 Now, therefore. be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assem- bled, that the President of the United States is requested, if not incompatible with the public interests, to advise the governments of Great Britain and Japan respectively, that this government will at once take us directly with these gov ernments and without waiting the ac- tion of any other nations, the question of disarmament, with a view of coming to an understanding by which the building programme of each of these governments, to-wit: Great Britain, Ja- pan and the United States shall be re- duced annually during the next five years to 50 per cent of the present rate.
 Second, that 1t is the sense of the Congress that in case such an under standing can be reached that it will conform in building programme to such an agreement
 Resolved, further, that this plan is suggested by the Congress of the United States in order to bring about sub stantial reduction in the naval arma- ment of the world"
 GOES TO COMMITTEE
 Senator Borah's resolution went to
 
 without 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 Koontz, chief of naval operations. that if all building were suspended today the comparative capital ship tonnage figures would be-: Great Britain, S64,600; United States, 46S,000; Japan, 326, 900.
 The officer was instructed to be ready tomorrow to discuss in detail at an ex- ecutive session, the relative strength, existing and projected.
 Secretary Daniels told the committee he agreed entirely with Senator Hard ing's recent statement at Norfolk that the navy should be commensurate with the nations interests, reiterating his opinion that it should be equal to any in the world"
 T wish we could have a world agree ment to settle dispute without re- course to arms" he added, but until that time comes and comes surely, we ought to carry out our naval building programme"