Evening star., 1921-02-07
House Leader, at Committee
Hearing, Argues Need
of Limitation.
AMERICA ALONE TAKING
WARLIKE STAND, HE SAYS
Republican Legislator Is Critic of
Secretary Daniels Program for
Navy Second to None.

An international agreement for limi-
tation of armaments is absolutely es-
sential to the avoidance of bank
ruptcy by some of the more impor-
tant nations of the world. with it's
attendant measureless confusion and
distress, Representative Mondell of
Wyoming, republican House leader,
declared today before the House naval
committee.
If an agreement is not reached in
the near future. Mr.. Mondell said, the
fault will be that of America, as in
former days the fault was that of
Germany. He added, however, that
there was no time to work out the
program before the change in admin
istration next month.
"Unbearable to Others,
THE fault VIII be ours,' he assert
ed, because, as We are the only great
nation which could maintain enor-
nous establishments on land and sea
without bankruptcy. without being
condemned to bear indefinitely and
add to todays frightful load-of ma
tional debt. it is our duty to lead the
way toward relief from the present
and future burdens of warlike ex-
penditures, which, irksome and op-
preSSlVe TO us, "Oulo De unDearaDle
to other nations.
More than that. 1t is our duty to
lead the way. because, strangely
enough. we are the only great nation
that since the world war has official
1y taken position favorable to the
increase rather than the decrease of
armaments and warlike expendi-
lures
Asxnilx Daniels' Proposal.
Mr. Mondell attacked the executive
departments of the government for
their advocacy of increased naval and
military forces and assailed particu-
Iarly Secretary Daniels proposal for
Navy. second to none.
I'VE have not followed Secretary
Daniels ambitious program" he said.
I'VE shall not follow it. But that pro-
gram is a message that goes out to
all the world from alleged peace
loving. n-militaristic America, as
the official announcement of the ad-
ministration, accepted abroad as
mandate to, If not an expression OF
the. will and purpose of. the American
1T is true that the government Of
Japan. stirred and spurred by the
jingo sentiment of the minority op-
position. was compelled to ana. dia
make an announcement of plan and
program of naval construction which.
while small compared to ours. was
practically impossible of accomplish
ment in the condition of the indus
tries, the trade and the finances of
the nation. But this remains as yet'
in the main, merely an announcement.
diminutive Roland for our monu-
mental Oliver.
British Attitude.
"As to England. her statesmen and
her people have had the good sense to
decline to be carried off their feet or
Impoverished in their resources by an
effort to initiate or follow the fam
tastic program outlined by the ad-
ministration.
I am glad to know that there are
many voices raised in favor of the
checking of the growth of militarism.
1t argues well for the future. I.have
a suspicion. however. that all of the
voices we have heard raised in favor
Of international agreements are not
wholly sincere. / cannot help being
suspicious of certain class of peo-
pie who fervently urge international
agreements for disarmament. Com
plete disarmament is not possible, and
one of the most effective ways in
which to head off. thwart. sidetrack
and defeat reform movement is
through urging it in a manifestly i'm
practicable way"
Would Not Destroy Navy.
II have no disposition to destroy
the Navy" said Mr.. Mondell, after he
finished reading his prepared state
ment.
Representative Britten, republican.
Illinois. took vigorous issue with Mr..
Mondell several times. He particu-
larly challenged the House leaders
statement that the best naval judg-
ment of the world had declared the
dreadnaught to be obsolete and pro-
tested against Mr.. Mondel's assertion
that in the world war the British bat
tie feet "hovered cowardly" at it's
base because of fear of airplanes and
submarines.
Representative Towner. republican,
Iowa. declared himself as opposed to
any naval holiday" agreement or any
effort by the United States to disarm
before the other powers took similar
action. He urged completion of the
present naval building program, but
no authorization for substantial ad-
ditional construction, and asserted
that contrary reports notwithstand-
ing. Great Britain's naval budget for
this year was nearly $500. 900, 900.