The New York herald., 1921-01-07
SEES ONE RESULT ONLY
Asks Why British Build So
Many Planes as Japan
Works OH Ships.
PRECEDENT POINTED TO
Germany Refused to Be Fooled
by London Overtures, Says
Illinois Man.
Special Despatch to TIE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C., Jan. 9.

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C., Jan. 9.
Congress is asked in a joint resolu-
ton introduced in the House to-day
by Representative Britten (Ill) to de-
clare it's unwillingness to commit the
economic and political independence
of the United States ito the fetters
of an international treaty materially
limiting naval ornaments, thereby in
volving its freedom of action in ways
and for objects not at present dis
cernible''
The resolution is in direct opposi-
ton to the measure proposed by Sem
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
which provides for so per cent. an
nual reduction for five years in the
naval building programme of America,
Great Britain and Japan.
In strong statement accompanying
the resolution Mr. Britten says the pro-
posed naval holiday ''can have but one
result If successful and that is perma-
nently to sustain British predominance
on the high seas"
Coincidently with the preparation Of
Mr.. Britten's resolution Secretary of the
Navy Daniels was asked by the House
Naval Affairs Committee to go before
the committee next Tuesday and make
the fullest possible statement based on
information in the Navy Department
as to the genuineness or insincerity of the
reported desire of other nations for
disarmament agreement. Mr.. Daniels
promised to appear.
Seeks World Datn on Navies.
Chairman Butler stated in making the
request that the committee wants to
find out IL other countries mean it or
whether they are trying to hold US up
while they go ahead, or whether their
desire for disarmament is real in spirit.
Mr.. Butler called attention to the
pendency before the committee Of n
recommendation for construction Of ten
additional ships to round out. the fleet,
and said the inside" OF the disarma-
mcnt talk must be ascertained in con-
sideration of this programme.
Declaring the 1916 building programme
will be completed by January /. 1924.
Representative Britten added that this
would give the United States l.11SOoo
tons of first line fighting ships and
'predominance on the high seas lie
continued:
THE Same line OF argument which led
our people in the last election to vote
against the League of Nations Is
equally applicable against the limita-
ton of naval armamcnts. We do not
wish 10 place our national independence
outside of our rational control unless
we have entire confidence in the altru-
ism and truStworthiness of other ma
tons.
There is no human way for the Brit
ish navy to retain the supremacy on
the seas without this so-calIed naval
holiday. This is not the first time Great
Britain has proposed naval holiday
Prior to the world war British states
men suggested to Germany that n naval
holiday be negotiated. but the Germans
on investigation turned IL down as a
subterfuge for continued British naval
supremacy and VIC will do the same
thing after our eyes have been opened
and all the cards are OH the table face
up.
"There will sbe plenty of time to talk
about naval holidays when our navy is
adequate for the protection of our ma
tional life and our constantly increasing
ocean commerce."
10 Big u. =. ships Building.
While the United States is engaged III
the construction of the 1915 programme.
including ten battleships and six battle
cruisers Mr. Britten's resolution asserts.
Great Britain has no naval building pro-
Eramme and is not building any first
line ships. $50 that any suggestions COM
ing from London and Toxic for naval
holiday are not primarily in the interest
of economy and good will among nations
but solely in the interest of perpetuating
British dominance on the high seas
The fact that Great Britain and
Japan are bound by n secret offensive
and defensive treaty which probably
calls for the tremendous military OK
pansion In aviation on the part of Great
Britain" the resolution continues. "while
Japan proceeds in the building of war
ships at rate far In excess of anything
heretofore undertaken by that country"
makes IAN almost invincibe sea power"
If the two navies and aviation are com
bined.
The resolution was referitd to the
Naval Affairs Committee. which will
consider IL after Secretary Danicls's
statement is heard Tuesday. Mr. Brit
ten says he will insist on immediate ac-
tion to put the House on record before
the Borah resolution comes over. If ii
should pass the Senate.