Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-05-07
DISARMAMENT
KEPT FROM BILL
Administration Forces Win In
First Skirmish In Impending
Senate Fight.

over naval disarmament.
Guided by the expressed wishes of
President Harding, the Senate Naval
Committee refused to incorporate in
the annual naval appropriation meas
ure the proposal of Senator Borah,
Republican, Idaho. authorizing and re-
queSting the chief executive to invite
Great Britain and Japan to send rep
rcSentatives to disarmament con-
ference here.
Before the committee acted. Senator
Borah had given notice Of the fight to
come by reintroducing his proposal in
the Senate and moving to suspend the
rules to make it in order.
Senator Pomercne, Democrat. Ohio.
also gave formal notice that he in
tended to present disarmament
amendment to the naval bill in the
Senate. His amendment would author
ize the President to delay the build
ing program six months while an
effort was being made to arrange a
conference between the United States,
Great Britain and Japan. Should an
agreement to limit construction be
reached by the three countries, the
President might suspend the building
program in whole CT in part.
1t is understood that administration
leaders in both the Senate and House
plan to delay action on any proposals
for international disarmament because
of the desire of the President not to
have this question initiated in Con-
gress in the present state of inter
national relations.
Senate Bill Carries S496.5OO. 900.
As favorably reported today by the
Naval Affairs Committee, the annual
naval bill, which failed at the last ses-
sion. provides not only funds for con-
tinuing construction on the uncom-
pleted 1916 program, but also for a
personnel 10000 in excess of the 100,-
900 proposed by the House. 1t also
carries funds for beginning work on
various bases on the Pacific coast.
The committee increased the House
total of 1896, 100000 to $496, 100000
or the same figure that was in the
bill as it failed in the Senate last
March. The principal increases today
by the committee included S12.000,00
for aviation. $4,000. 900 to start work
on two new aircraft carriers, about
$7,000000 to begin construction of a
new fleet base at Alameda, Calf, and
other Pacific coast bases, and about
S7,000,000 to expedite construction of
capital ships. There also were large
increases for pay and support of per-
sonnet.
Senator Poirdexter. Republican,
Washington, in charge of the bill,
plans to report the amended measure
to the Senate tomorrow with view
to calling il up next week Immediately
after disposal of the emergency tariff
bill.
Opp0rtune Time for Conference
New York, May 4.-The time is OPP
perfume for a conference between
Great Britain. Japan and the United
States on reduction of naval arma-
ments, Franklin d. Roosevelt, former
Assistant Secretary of the NAVY. de-
clarod in on address here tonight on
"A Practical Plan for World Dis
armament" He spoke at the disarm-
amcnt dinner for the newly-organized
Women'S Pro-Leaguc Council.
81 believe further" he added, that
in spite of all sorts of nonsense which
has been written on the subject. Great
Britain would be willing and even
glad to agree with us that for short
space of time, let us say over a period
of five years, no new vessels should
be laid down. | suggest purposely
that the existing vessels now under
construction be left out of the argu-
ment. because of the very diverse
opinions which exist as TO whether or
not it would really save money to
Stop their construction"
While little was known. he said, as
to .Iapan's position on the suggestion
for naval holiday for a short period
Of years, he asserted that if Great
britain and the United States were in
agreement in the matter. it would
seem probable that the Japanese Gov
eminent could and should properly
Join with them. He explained the
short term of years was suggested
only because present world conditions
ore such and the position of the
United States is such that to name
more definite arrangements would in
volve considerations affecting the