The New York herald., 1921-01-01
Power Is Given President
Under Naval Act Of 1916;
Invited by League to
Start Move.
NATIONS FEAR AMERICA
Naval Programme, Too Big to
Follow, Is Effective Weapon
to Force Recognition of
Country's Leadership.
Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Rureau

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald bureau.
Washington, ID. C., Dec. 81
The Government will commemorate
the new year by moving seriously in
the direction of bringing about inter-
national disarmament. President VIII
son is contemplating issuing a call for
an international conference on the
subject either under the authority
given to him by the naval act OF 1916
or in connection with the invitation
extended by the disarmament COM
mittee of the League of Nations.
Action by the President accepting
the invitation of the league COMMITTEES
probably would have to be preceded by
Senate resolution authorizing him to
do so, and Senator Walsh (Mon),
Democrat, has such a resolution pre-
pared. which he will bring before the
Foreign Relations Committee of the
Senate next Monday.
The action contemplated here is In
conformity with a growing world real
/
the building of tremendous armaments
If an arrangement is possible by which
Joint action can be attained
In bringing abou- this programme the
United Sta.es holds the leadership. It's
programme calls for the attainment OF
firss place IN naval armamerts by 1924.
md OF all the nations OF the world II is
now the only one In position to 20 ahead
on n scale unattainab'e by other Powers.
Now Leading World Problem.
The question of disarmament is rec
ognized by leaders in Washington as
the leading one before tho world to-day.
and about 1t hinges practically all the
worlds diplomatic interchanges. Be-
cause the United States has the poten-
tial power to build the greatest navy in
the world. It is pointed out It possesses
an argument to which other Powers
must listen and whicn II is believed IS
likely 70 prevent Haunting of the posi-
ton OF this Government as has been
done In the Mesopotamian oil contro-
versy with Great Britain and in the
cable controversy with Japan.
Fearful OF what the United states
may do in regard 10 the upbuild'ng Of
it's naval power. worlI diplomacy. IL IS
realized. is being centred now In an ef-
fort to induce q halt in the American
programme
1t is recognized that the political lead
ers of America will not halt the naval
programme unless the other Powers OF
the world agree 70 do the same. Presl-
dcnt-elcct Harding has made that clear
in his speeches, and neither is II ex-
pec;ed that the American naval pro-
gramme will be stopped unless Ameri-
cas- leading part ~ World affairs is roc
ognzed. The programme II is stated
here, becomes the most effective weapon
which the Harding Administration Will
have in bringing about its realization
OF what the proposed association OF ma
tions should be.
In view Of the desire OF other world
Powers. notably Great Britain and
Japan. TO halt Americas naval pro-
gramme It is confidently expected that
any move on the part of the American
Government looking toward reduction IN
armaments will be heartily seconded.
Naval chief In Conference.
The belief that the President has such
conference IN mind received added
strength to-day by a conference he had
with Under Secretary Of state Davis.
which was followed By conference
which Mr. Davis held with Rear Admiral
Robert T.. Coontz. Chief Of Naval Oper-
ations
Under what authority President VIII
'son would act IL he moves 20 cali an
international conference L. matter OF
peculatlon. It Is considered unlikely
that he would accept the invitation Of
the disarmament committee OF the
League of Nations without special
authorization from Congress in face of
the rejection Of the league covenant
which occurred In tho recent election.
The resolution by Senator walsh
which would give 70 the President sho
necessary authority suggests a probable
realignmeut OF senators who have op.
posed and favored the league. and may
copcn the league debate IN the Senate.
Adoption Of senator Walsh's resolution
would recognize the League OF Nations
as n going concern, a recognition which
anti-icaguo Senator's especially the r-
rccouc.lables. are not disposed 10 give.
The walsh resolution viii be opposed
with thst og Senator Borah tIdaho). Ro-
publican. who proposes that Japan.
freat Britain and the United states
shall engage m q naval holiday. reduce
.ng their building activities so per cent
du ing the next FIVE years Senator
Walsh hopes 20 present his resolution
before the committee Monday. in re-
ponsc 20 a request to this eject made
by Senator Hitchcock (Neb) ranking
Democratic member of the Foreign Re-
latiOns Committee.
should the President dccidc 20 act
under the authorization OF the naval bill
of 1916. Il is believed be will fnd ample
authority IN that measure. The act