The New York herald., 1921-02-18
BIG NAVY FIGHT
REPUTED TOHAVE
HARDING BACKING
Senate Action Hampering
Building Would EN-
barrass Him.
WARNED BY MCCORMICK
Reply to Borah Taken to
Reflect Views of Next
President.
MUST MAINTAIN POWER
Idaho Senator Serves Notice
He Will Not Quit Fight !.
for Naval Holiday
MUST MAINTAIN POWER,
Special Despatch to THE NEW York HnaALp.
New York Herald Burcau.)
WashlnRtOn. ID, C. Feb M

Spec'ci despatch to THE NEW YORK HnnALp.
Washington. ID. C., Feb. Il.
That any action by Congress that
delays or hampers development Of the
American Navy will confuse and
hamper the President-e;ect in the dis
charge Of the heaviest duty he has to
perform" was the unqualified asser-
ton made in the Senate to-day by
Senator Mccormick CIll.). 1t pro-
volied an immediate declaration from
Senator Borah (Idaho) that he would
not "abdicate" his Judgment as to
what the Senate ought to do, no mat
ter what the President thought
about it,
Mr.. McCormick's statement to the
Senate is regarded as an authoritative
reflection of the views of Mr. Har-
ding as to the necessity for a naval
policy that will create a navy equal
to that Of any other Power as the
basis for further formation Of Amer
ica's foreign policy. Senator Borah's
intimation OF insurgency is inter-
preted as a warning that he intends
to play lone hand both as to the
foreign policy and the naval policy so
far as the views Of Mr.. Harding and
his avowed supporters in the Senate
are concerned.
Prior to Senator McCormick's speech,
in which he urged continuation OF the
naval building programme as Americas
preparation for taking the lead IN Inter-
national affairs, Senator Borah had as
sailed Republican leaders for having no
programme which looked to reduction Of
appropriations.
BOrah Repeats Arguments.
Mr.. Borah repeated his arguments
against capital ship construction. urged
suspension OF the naval programme until
the efficiency OF the capital ship 10
proved TO his satisfaction, and insisted
that both army and navy appropriations
arc too large. He insisted that these
are the two bills on which reductions
Of expenditures is possible and said the
United States should set an example
to allied Governments in lowering ex-
penses. which, he declared, none Of the
allied Powers has done.
I'VE are appropriating more this year
than last" said Mr.. Borah. That
verges on madness. With world in
debtedness nearly $3.50. 900. .00o. 900, our
own debt $4,000. 000.0 900 and facing q
deficit of $4,000, 100000, we keep on
piling up appropriations. This TO me is
greater menace than any conditions
that existed during the war.
THE most remorscIess taskmaster In
the world Is a public debt The spirit
Of revolt is spreading to japan and
throughout the world. cease to be a
patriot with those who whisper and tell
us TO wait while the world is on fire
and revolution spreading"
Senator Mccormick answered point
ny point the argument that Senator
Eorah had presented in favor OF Amer-
can naval holiday. which he said would
permit other nations TO go on arming
and thereby result in more unequal in
ternational positions.
II cannot agree said Mr.. STcCor-
mick. that tho limitation of armamcnts
shall be fixed on the basis OF British
sea power more dominant than ever in
modern history There are those Of US
who share the opinions of the Senator
from Idaho IN theory. but cannot follow
his conclusions. Unlike him. we agree
with the responsible naval experts as
u the lessons which must be drawn
from the great war. and. above all, be-
cause we believe-nay. we know-that
II Congress delays and hampers the
present development OF the navy IL win
confuse and hamper the President-eiect
in the discharge OF the heaviest duty he
has to perform"
Hamper New President. al
Senator Mccormick said further that
pause in naval construction would
compound the difficulties of the new
President in securing a general iimita-
tion OF armaments by sea and by land
In removing certain dangers to our Sc
curity and no less certain obstacles to
the renewal OF our commerce abroad and
to the restoration of our prosperity at
horne"
He dwelt at length on the quotations
from British naval experts cited by Mr..
Borah. referring to these officers as '1it-
erary admirais." because they had not
been 60 the front at the world war. For
that reason he discounted their opinion
as TO the obsolescence OF the capital
ship. He outlined the proportionate
strength OF the three great naval pow
~s. citing the fact that England leads
and can afford 10 stop construction. and
that Japan IL going on building capital
ships and other fighting craft. Anetics.
he contended. must go on in order 20 be
on an equality before proposing dissr-
mement. England. he said. was forced
to go more slowly for economic reasons.
Further emphasizing his opinion as 20
Tho Importance of a greater American
navy. Mr.. Mccormick said with much
emphasis.
I'VE are on the eve OF important ne
rotiations which In part result from the