The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-12
Naval Secretary Suggests Calling of International Dis armament Conference Im- mediately After lnaugura- ton Under Provision of 1916 Naval Appropriation Act
By Associated Press

Washington, January u.--The present
 tnme was described as ripe for a move ment toward limitations of naval arna- ments by international agreement by Sec retary Daniels of the navy and Acting Secretary Davis of the state department
 in tentmony today before the House naval affairs committed
 Secretary Daniels declared that in his opinion the move might properly be made by President-elect Harding, who, he said, could "call and hold an international dis armament conference within two months after his inauguration
 Mir. Harding, as President, the secre- tary pointed out, would have complete aus thorization to call such a conference un- der the provisions of the 1916 naval app
 propriaton act
 Secretary Davis told the committee that President Wilson had not called such a conference because the President felt, in view of the short time he would remain
 In office, such action would embarrass
 the incoming administration. MT. Will son did not use the powers granted him in the 1916 act at the close of the world war Mir. Davis added. because he thought
 the participation by the United states in the League of Nations would bring about the desired result.
 DISARM OR BUILD BATTLESHIPS The committee was urged by Mir. Daniels to authorize continuance of un- completed portion of the 1916 three-year naval building programme until an in- ternational agreement of some kind was reached. He asserted his belief that II no such agreement could be obtained from the powers, the United States should build the greatest navy in the world. Asked by Chairman Butler if Great Brit aims geographic situation did not entitie that nation to the command of the seas. MT. Daniels stated that he did not sub scribe to this belief.
 The United States has the longest coast line'' said the naval secretary. and has Alaska Hawaii Guam and the P,'hppines to protect, as well as moral e liitien ln +sa ia Amerifa under the tH 7 se3opSG4 .siAre eNtisie1 e ssis iR sgsiaR rs aesHg orltf sf tsieka iH Es lis GS2 5ea 2aF sesT ss
 ff'ha ifitpAnding gserNH esolut lon VI sprstnc a 90 pes ren aSE' 'ef in q ns ,naeai pros rammes in the next 1is~ years on the part of the United states Great Britain and Japan was brough' into the discussion by Representative
 Britten. republican, Illinois, and the naval secretary voiced his opposition to the Borah proposal on the grounds that 1t would leave this country sec ond in naval strength, and did not take into consideration armed land forcns ASK CONSTRUCTION. DATA
 Chairman Butler asked Mir. Daniels to present to the committee tomorrow data showing the naval construction and projected programmes of Japan and Great Britain.
 T want to know what these nations are doing" said the committee chair man. All the world knows what the United States is doing. hear that Great Britain is building great sub marines, each mounting 12-inch gun Perhaps they have abandoned building better way of destroying life and lit is true that Japan is having three big battleships built in British yards"
 MT Daniels replied that 1t was his understanding that three large Japa- nese war vessels and number of sub- marines were being built in British shipyards. and promised to furnish the other data desired when the com .mittee meets again tomorrow.
 All members of the committee seemed to be in accord on the propo, sition of finding some way to reduce armaments, but there was a very .vi dent lack of unanmity of opinion ss to the proper method to be pursued Iiscussion of the question will be re- sumed tomorrow morning when Gen Tasker H. Bliss. former chief of sta If of the army, may appear.