Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-05
SEE EARLY FIGHT
FOR DISARMAMENT
Administration Program for
Navy to Be Opposed From Floor
by Borah and Pomerene

Washington. May ga fight for
naval disarmament proposals Mt an
carly date in the Senate in opposition
to the administration program was nc
cepted as forcgone conclusion today.
The naval appropriation bill was to be
stripped Of all such features at the re-
quest Of President Harding because of
the international situation, but both
Senators Borah and Pomcrenc an.
nounced they would fight from the floor
for a disarmament conference Of Great
Britain. japan and the nitcd States.
The bill is expected to come up for a
debate next week after disposal of the
emergency tariff and anti dumping
measure.
In opposing any such conference Mt
this time. President Harding has made
clear he stands ready to urge mn inter-
national agreement limiting armaments
at the first practical moment. The
Borah proposal, however, would urge
him to call q conference of the three
powers here to discuss reduction in
naval programs, and Senator Pomcrene
would delay tho building program for
six months pending efforts 10 gain the
assent Of Great Britain and Japan to
Join in conference.
The appropriation bill to be- reported
in the Senate carries 500, 600 900 more
than was voted BY the House and IL
which failed Of passage in tho Senate
last March. The principal increases
are for o personnel 1000 greater than
tn" 100. 900 provided for by the House,
| for enlarged aviation programs. de-
vclopmcnt Of feet bases on the Pacific
coast and for speeding up capital ship
| construction.
Administration forces won the first
skirmish yesterday in the 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 measure tho
PROPOSAL of Senator Rorah, Republican.
Of Idaho, authorizing and requesting
! the Chief Executive to invite Great
britain and Japan to send representa- =
/ tivCS to disarmament conference here.
Before tho Committee nctcd. Senator
Borah had given notice Of the fight to
como by rcintroducing his proposal in
tho Senate and moving to suspend the
/ rules to make it in order.
As favornbly reported yesterday by
tho naval committee. the annual naval
! bill, which failed Mt the last session,
provides not only funds for continuing
| construction on tho uncomplctcd 1916
program. but also for a personnel OF
% .Nn0 in excess of tn" 100. 900 pro-
! posed by tho House. II also carries
! funds for beginning work on various
naval bases Oh the Pacific Coast.
The committee increased the House
| total Of 1906. 600. 900 to Si9G. 900. 900.
~ tho same figure that was in III" bill
NS it failed in the Scnat" last March.
The principal increases voted today by
! tie committee included SD 900 900 for
aviation. S15 .0OO. 900 to start work on
two new aircraft carriers. about 81
! 000. 900 to begin construction Of new
| feet base at Alameda. Calf. and other
| Pacific coast bases. and about 81 900. =
600 10 expedite construction of capital
! ships. There also were large increases
for pay and support of personnel