Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-01-14
WARSHIPs PACT Or
BIGGEST U. s. NAVY
Secretary Daniels Says a Mere
Holiday IS Not Enough.
WOULD END NAVAL BUILDING
Urges Agreement With All Nations Or
Construction of Fleet That Would
Command tire Respect of
the World.

49, hfNtf~s
Washington, Jan. 12--An interna-
tional agreement with all, or prac-
tically AL, the nations which will guar
antee an end of competition in navy
building" was presented as the only
alternative to the building by the Uni
ted States Of navy powerful enough
ito command the respect and fear of
the world" by Secretary Daniels in
testimony before the house naval af-
fairs committee.
The naval secretary, who appeared
before the committee in connection
with IFS consideration of the subject
of disarmament, dismissed as UNI
worthy of discussion. a third proposal
for an American navy less than equal
to the most powerful sea power in the
world because it is a waste of money
on an agency of war which would be
helpless if needed"
Prepared to Advise President-Etect.
In presenting his views, Mr.. Daniels
took occasion to outline the advice
which he would give to President-elect
Harding should he be asked for counr
sci on naval matters. This advice
took the form of suggestion tEaC Mr..
Harding. Immediately upon his inaug-
uration. invite the nations of the world
10 meet with the representatives of
The United States in disarmament
conference Authority for such action
was given by the naval approprja
ton act of 1916 the secretary said,
adding that If President Wilson
SHOULD call such a conference it
would be impossible for him to make
recommendations before his term of
Office expired"
Work for Reduction OF Ermaments.
"If President elect Harding should
do me the honor to ask my advice,
declared Mr.. Daliels II would I'M
hesitatingly say to MIN:
"If the United States is not TO be-
come at once member of the League
of Nations I believe some plan should
be adopted at once to secure an agree
ment for a reduction of ornaments.
You viii have the authority to call
such a conference. You can act on
March and hasten the coming of
the day when the taxpayers of this
country and of all other countries MAY
be safely freed from the great bur
dens OF war preparations. Until that
conference secures word agreement,
let there be no cessation in building
the ships authorized by congress"
Opposes Holiday" of Nations.
Characterizing the naval holiday be-
tween the United States, Great Britain
and Japan, provided for in the pend
ind resolution introduced by Senator
Borah of Idaho, ASA halfway" meas
ure, Mir. Daniels reiterated his oppOSi-
ton to his country's entering into such
an agreement.
"A naval holiday for one year or
any period is like applying poultice
when surgery is needed declaEed the
secretary. rs little if any tetter that
the suggested halfway agreement be-
tween the United States and two ma
tons which have a treaty of alliance.
An alliance limited 10 the United
States, Great Britain and Japan would
make for suspicion and distrust and
would be followed later by a counter
entente of nations Jealous of what
they regard as an Anglo-Saxon and
japanese alliance to dictate to the
world"
End Competitive Naval Building.
Mr.. Daniels added:
1.-THE only wise course is to END
competitive naval building, not for
one wear or FIVE years and not by a
few NATIONS. but for all time by all
nations. The time is ripe for securing
such an agreement now, and ! would
consider it a serious mistake to fail
to embrace the opportunity for a per-
manent policy of reduction by accept
ing in its place substitute in the
form of a terminable and unsatisfac-
tory holiday. The world is asking for
no playtime, but for serious business.
II stand today where ] stood in
1913. when / was called a little navy
man." declared the secretary, for
international action or navy second
70 none in the world. This country
would demean itself by advocating
a navy second to any nation on
earth /"