The Washington herald., 1921-01-23
viii Make it Nucleus of
His Association of
I Nations.
ROOT PLEA DRAWS
FIRE FROM BORAH
Author of Naval Holiday
Bill Impatient of Fur
ther Delay.
BY HERBERT w. WALKER.


strongly favors an international con-
ference on disarmament and believes
that it may be used as the nucleus
for his new association of nations
is the prevailing impression mem
bers of Congress have received from
recent conferences at Marion.
In the opinion of Representative
Thomas S. Butler. Pennsylvania,
chairman of the House Naval Al
fairs Committee, and a leader in the
disarmament movement. the Presi-
dent-elect will call such a confer
ence within three months after his
Inauguration.
This view also was reflected by
Elihu Root, another best mind COZ
feree." who, in a letter to the House
Naval Affairs Committee yesterday
said that steps toward disarmamen Mt
should be taken promptly by the
new administration, but recommend
ed against Congress taking any &C
ton until the President elect has
conferred with his new Secretary of
State on world conditions.
Disarmament Sentiment Growing.
Sentiment for action on disarma-
ment, according to all indica tions,
Is growing rapidly in Congress, but
such leaders as Senators Lodge and
Knox, although indicating that i
conference on international disarm-
ament is part Of the Harding for
eign program, take the same posi-
tion as Root.
Senator Borsh, Idaho. however,
wants immediate action ou-his res
kolution for disarmament confer
snes and In a statement last night
sharply attacked Root for advocEt-
ing delay. In Borah's opinion,
Harding slready has informed him
self of world conditions and will
not appoint a Secretary of State
who is not familiar with the sub
ject.
Disarmament ought not to be
delayed" Borah said During the
delay contracts representing bill
and billions will be expended for
armament. Budgets are being
framed and the taxpayers will have
to take care of them. Taxes are
being imposed and collected. In the
meantime the world is on the verge
of bankruptcy. Millions are freez-
ing and dying for want of clothes
and food. Taxes will not wait Hun
ger will not wait. Death will not
wait.
Movement Cannot Be stopped.
These things do not wait for
change of administration or bow
themselves aside out Of party pride
Shall we loiter and daily with the
remedy for these fearful COndi-
tions? 1t may be possible assume
IT is proba ble-that they can stop
the passage of this resolution, but
they cannot stop the movement.
Mr.. Root says that We should
wait Until Mr.. Harding and his
! Secretary of State inform them
selves as to the best way to insure
success"
IF this suggestion had come from
Mr.. Harding. l should have felt like
deferring. But l doubt if Mr.. Hard
ing would wish to say that he wants
delay in this matter until he can in
form himself as to conditions, with
which l have no doubt he is entirely
| familiar. l doubt also if Mr.. Hard
| ing would wish to say he is going
to appoint a Secretary Of State who
is not entirely familiar with the
situation so far as the underlying
| principles are concerned.
Asks Root for Suggestions.
! "I regret exceedingly that Mr.,
Root should throw his great iniu-
ence against the progress that is
| being made. II Mr.. Root thinks
that the way suggested by my res
4 olution is not the Best way, no one
would be more delighted than my
self to have a suggestion from him
as to how we should go about it.
l will accept any program and
| gladly support any program, who
ever may be the author. which
seems to be better, speedier and
wiser than the one proposed
Borah then claimed that delay
seems peculiarly adopted to killing
disarmament programs, pointing out
that while such a step was provided
by the Versailles treaty, two years
later finds the nations going for
ward on military programs with a
| rush as If we were on the verge OF
/ war"
II France" he said, has an army
of nearly 100000; Japan has beer
increasing her military and naval
powers; the United States has lei
contracts for sixteen battleships
which will cost 100000 900, and
other things accordingly"
TmpracticabIc,' Says Root.
Root in his letter declared at /.
plainly impracticable" to take steps
toward disarmament before the new
administration.
Referring to immediate actor
by Congress, Root said:
Action on your part based upor
any opinion which you can form
now as to the best method of pro
cedure might prove to be just the
wrong thing, and might create OBJ
stacles to success, instead of help.
ing it along.
The subject is especially diff
cult because of the disturbed con
ditions of Eastern Europe, 'and Il
Is difficult because too many ma
Ltions have special apprehension
of danger against which they wisi
to guard. The new administration
will soon learn what is the bes