The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-05-06
NAVY Bill. FOR
396 MILLIONS
Votes, 212 to IS, After Rejecting
Amendments Directing Call for
World Disarmament Pact.
MONDELL BLOCKS RIDERS
Says Present Status of Fore On Rela.
xionshps Does Not Warrant Initiative
Objects to Instructing Harding
Would Merely Give Authority.

Wash ngton.-Persistent attempts
were made in the house before passage
of the naval appropriation bill, which
carries a total of $396,OO0,OOO to have
included in the measure provisions lay
ing the groundwork for an information.
al discussion of naval disarmament. All
were either resisted on points of order
or voted down, and the bill was passed
by vote of 212 to 10.
The refusal of the house to initiate
steps looking to a disarmament confer
ence was the direct result of a state
ment by House Leader Mondell, who
said he expects that such action will
be taken before the close Of the pres
ent session. The condition and situa-
ton Of foreign relationship did not
yet warrant the move, he declared.
Mr.. MOndell's statement was in an
swer to an amendment offered by Rep
resentative Tom Connally, Democrat,
of Texas, who sought to provide that
no part Of the appropriation of $780,
100000 for ship construction should be
expended until after the President has
called an international conference.
at is entirely fitting and proper that
suggestions for negotiations on the
subject of the reduction of armament"
said Representative Mondell, Should
originate with the United States. Man
ifestly, however, no action should be
taken along these lines until we shall
have arrived at a condition and situa.
ton in our foreign relationships in
which our motives and purposes may
not be misunderstood or misconstrued.
AS to the part cular amendment be-
fore us, 1t should, of course, be voted
down. 1t is In no wise and in no sense
a disarmament resolution, nor would it
ne helpful or useful in bringing about |
a reduction of ornaments. While no |
doubt well intended by those Offering |
1T, its effect would be wholly mis-
chievous and if it were to become law
1T would undoubtedly retard rather
than aid In the accomplishment of the |
reduction In military and naval ex-
penditures which we all seek"
Representative Connally contended
that "a great many people are in doubt
about the program President Harding
Intends to pursue in this regard" and
the house should pave the way" His
amendment was lost on a viva voce
vote.
Another amendment, with virtually
the same object, was offered by Repre-
r. Walton Moore Democrat.
Of Virginia. 1t was disposed of on a
point of order.
Representative Hamilton Fish, Jr.,
Republican. of New York. offered an
other amendment. which would have
authorized the President to suspend
Or curtail the appropriation at his dis
erection. This, too, was lost on point
Of order.
Qbtnining recognition, Representa-
live James f. Byrnes, Democrat, of
South Carolina, declared the only rea-
SON sci out in objection to the disarm-
ament amendments was "that they
might embarrass the President" He
said fine President now has not the
authority necessary to initiate such a
movement and that "by merely wing
him the authority at this time, and not
directing him, he would be placed in a
position to take up the opportunity
which may present itself within the ,
lext few weeks or months"
Representative Mondell replied he
vas will ne to leave the matter to the
Judgment of the committee on foreign
lffairs, confident that they would keep
n touch with changing conditions"
This statement caused Representa-
i've Henry d. Flood, of Virginia. to
,harge that the committee on foreign
Affairs was called ito consider that
very propos ton last Monday and &C.
ion was postponed for some reason I'M
Known to any but the majority side"
This action" he added, "seems TO
Five us rather dim hope"