New-York tribune., 1921-05-29
Harding Aim
LIN Disarr11iine
- : "
is Pr ractical
Considers Borah Program
Futile, but Is Keenly
DESTROYS of World Ac.
ton to Reduce Budgets
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, May 2S.-The real
explanation of President Hardinp's
opposition to the Borah disarmament
rider on the Naval Appropriation bill
is that he does not believe any "dis-
armament congress" called by procla-
nations and opened with flourish of
trumpets has a fighting chance to ac-
complish anything.
The President has indicated time and
again that he is in favor Of approxi-
mate disarmament, although he has
oeen just as emphatic in declaring
that the United States must not rem
der itself helpless by disarming in
advance of other nations. Some of his
advisers are just as eagerly in favor
OF cutting down the terrific financial
burdens of the race on the part of
each nation to keep its place in the
procession as is Senator Borah.
secretary of the Navy Denby is not
among these, of course, for he has do.
clared publicly for navy greater than
eny other in the world, greater than
great brltain's. "Why not 2" he de-
Denby's PROGRAM Opposed
But his view on this question is
not shared by Secretary Of War Weeks.
and 1T is vigorously opposed bv Secre-
tary Of Commerce Hoover, and there is
no doubt that the majority of the
Presidents advisers are eager to do
anything possible to bring about a real
understanding between the three ma
tlons chiefly involved-Great Britain,
Japan and the United States-which
Will lead to a cessation of the arma-
nent race.
It may be said, indeed. that the po-
sltion Of the President is more vigor-
Gus on the question of disarmament
than is that of Senator Borah, although
! 1t has not been so vocal, and probably
Will not become so. But the real truth
is that the President is willing to go
to the length of cutting off credits
from nations which insist on spending
all the money their governments can
borrow on armies and navies.
In taking this view the President and
his advisers are not only concerned
about avoiding the necessity for this
government to keep on taxing its peo-
pie heavily 50 as to keep up with the
procession, but they want the nations
want to borrow more to stop burning
up that money in military expendi-
lures. The Administration wants those
countries to stop wasting money for
battleships and armies 80 they can
spend the money either in buying COM
modities from the United States
which would help relieve the business
stagnation here-or in paying the
debts they now owe the United States
French MiIitarism Cited
1t is very hard to get Administration
officials to come down to practical illus
! trations on such questions are
afraid of giving offense to Great Bri-
tain, or Japan, or Italy, or France, or
some other nation if the source of any
newspapers information is traced. But
one illustration given The Tribune cor
respondent of a case where this coun-
for obvious reasons not affected, but
in which there is very keen interest
just the same is that of France.
The Administration, although it would
never admit it openly, is keenly anx-
ious that France should reduce the size
of her amy, not because of any posi-
bility as to how that army might be
used, but because of the expense to
the French treasury of maintaining that
army.
In the case of Great Britain there
enters another complication. There
are four ships under construction by
the British, about which officially at
least there is little information here.
If some of the reports are true-as, for
instance, that they will carry eight
twenty y-inch guns, will have turtle
back" armor, which makes them much
better able to resist she'll fire at long
range, and will have "macaroni" tubing
protection under the water line, max
lContlnued on next paael