The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-01

sion to the naval equipment of the world, he would include the question of limiting the size of standing armies.
 Senator Borah just smiles anad says nothing-or very little. It is known. however, that he believes something Is rotten in Denmark. He is convinced that there Is "nigger" in the wood pile. Of course, he Is aware that President Harding opposed his amend rlent in the Senate committee which rejected 1t, and during the early stages of the fight for its existence on the floor of the Senate. Of course, he knows that all of the administration leaders, including MT. Mondell, like- wise opposed his amendment And, of course, he knows that it was the re- suit of this opposition which killed the Connally amendment, similar to his own in the House.
 Fearful of Trickery
 He Is especially fearful of Mondell in the role of a Greek bearing gifts. For it is quite recent history that Mondell led the unsuccessful fight In the House to increase the standing army to 175, 900 men. In respect to the policy of the House leader, which, 1t is said, has the approval of the Presi- dent, Senator Borah is undecided whether Mondells intention to "perfect'' hls amendment is due to his desire to kill it, or whether it is simply due to his desire to have a hand in bringing about the dawn of a new international era, one in which the nations WI; atandon the mad struggle for a pre- dominant navy. struggle which has kept and still keeps Ihe taxpayecs grooming under an almost overwhe,m- ing burden.
 1.t. tAt. Mondel. amendments. according :o great naval powers, the Urited Starts Great Br tain and Japan. In the pro- cess of equalization through reduct-on on the rart of these rowers, 1t is not necessary that other nations for con siderable period of time. abandon their present programme of construction. He holds, as result that the participation of other nations would simply gum up" the proceedings. And he under stands that it would be futile for the l United States to attempt to persuade the powers to reduce their standing armies. France, ever fearful of a resuscitating Germany, would not lis- | ten to pleas intended to bring about a disbanding of its troops. England has such extensive territorial posses sions that it could not afford, 1t is argued, to reduce the size of it's army 1 And, likewise, Japan has argument against reduction. On the other hand all nations, it is already indicated would be glad were it not necessary l for them to keep preparing for ar l imaginary war of the distant future. House to Delay
 The House, it is indicated, will hold l up the naval appropriation bill, con l taining the Borah amendment, fol some days, perhaps. weeks. But for the | requirement. of funds it carries, ii might be held up indefinitely. But by
 July 1, the navy will be in great dis tress for money, and it is safe to pre- 1 dict that the bill will be enacted by 1 that date.
 l The House conferees, it is indicated | will immediately accept the Borat amendment unless party chieftains l apply the lash to republican members l The democratic conferees, Represen. 1 tatives Byrnes of South Carolina, ant
 Oliver of Alabama, and the leading
 republican, Representative Kelley oi Michigan. constituting a majority, art very much in favor of any legitimate and feasible scheme to bring about gradually disarmament.