Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-02-10
NAVY TO EQUAL BEST
IS URGED ON SENATE
Committee in Report Condemns
Building Holiday Proposed
by Borah.

By Associated I'ress 20 Every Evening
Washington, Feb. i0.-Contingent on
~ upon tho possibility of a worldwide
agreement limiting naval arnarnents.
the United States should pursue It's
present building program with Wow
To maintaining n navy at least equal
TO that of any other power These
were tho conclusions Of the Senate Ma
val Committee today In a report To tho
Senate on tho Rorah resolution.
Construction should not be suspended
FOR six months nor NJ all the com
mittee reported adding that further
study was not needed to establish that
tho capital ship remained tho principal
unit Of seapower, with submarines and
aircraft as yet only auxiliary forces.
streqaing tho Importance Of seapower
10 the United states the committee
declared that the lessons Of history
teach with indtsputable truth that we
cannot afford 10 depend Cor the main
tenancs of our rights and tho defense
of tho lives aud commerce. OF our citizens
upon the mercy or generosity or good
will ~ other powers with rival or con
nictpE interests and ambitions
The committee. replying tn the Borsh
resolution. said il ia not practical and
Is not "a sound policy 10 suspend naval
construction Tor a period II six months
nor at all 1T urged completion Of the
great 1915 naval program. except that
two huge naval aircraft carriers be
huilt III place Of Il doatroyera and six
submarines which have been authorized.
hut Hot yet contracted for.
capital ahjpa remain the principal
guit4 ~ sea power. the committee said.
adding that submarines and aircraft
were as yet only auxiliary forces.
The committee report, y which Sem
'or ktnR Democrat t'tah. plans 20 file
il minority report today oNprossod
i dssirc that am agreement for iinita
t!au ~ naval armament might be
reached among the nations but said
that untl some such Arrangements We're
lsade the gritcd States should con-
tlnue It's building program.
Thu report expressed approval and
Endorsement ~ the Navy General
Roards summary 81 The situation lead
lnE T. the conclusion that the capital
ships remain the strongest naval unit.
ii recommends however. scientific
study and development Of the subma-
nm aircraft and high explosives
n3Va, power armed with these de-
.AI idEklHE N HdlIleeHlHbS ana
.astt ruisers opposed 20 a rival power
waatl - a. the mercy Of the enemy
lvith al a9xil.arics and also heavy ships
the report said
The rival forces OF light craft" IL
said whether on or below the surface
or IN The air would neutralize each
other leaving the power which pos
sess,d heavy ships armed with great
Fr4 81 rsf ~
other powers have not abandoned
the major sht,. said the report. and are
proceeding with extended programs OF
hatfleship construction.
The Womhcrs of the committee" the
The members of the comittee." the
report concluded. are as anxious to
bring about a reduction Of armaments
/ and relief from the burdens which
those arnamcnts impose upon the ma
tions Of the earth as any one can be
/ but no dIsa rmament would be OF any
value unless IL was general and in the
ease II the great maritime powers, uni
y,rsal. tnhappiIy tins is not the case
Al the present time and we must deal
with conditions az they are. For one
nation 70 leave itself exposed to attack
while another is preparing all the en-
gines of war would be not only folly
but the greatest danger to the peace OF
ice 70 the causeof peace"
We earnestly hope that an agree
ment may be reached among the nations
Tor general reduction Of armaments
bat at the present moment universal
, disarmament has not been established
and the United States cannot leave it
self undefended if it is threatened from
any quarter. To do so would be wrong
To the American people and Of no sery-
ice 10 the cause of peace