The New York herald., 1921-04-27
HOUSE in DEBATE
ON DISARMAMENT
,Whirlwind OF Talk Blocks
Vote OH Naval Appro-
priation Bill.
KNIGHT LEADS ATTACK
New Member From Ohio
Asks Commission on Value
of Battleships.
AMENDMENTS BLOCKED
One Would Check Construction
Until President Has Called
Conference.
AMENDMENTS BLOCKED

~
day fight over disarmament the House
was forced to quit work tonight with
out reaching vote on the naval ap-
preparation bill because of the demand
OF mem oers for time in which TO air
their views.
At the end of the long debate there
was pending an amendment provid
ing that no part of the appropriation
should go into new construction un-
til the President had called an inter-
national conference to consider liTni-
tation of armament The amendment,
proposed by Representative Connolly,
Democrat (Tex.). was precisely like
one offered when the bill was before
the House in the closing days OF the
last session by Representative Brooks.
Republican Ull.), and rejected by a
vote of about 5 to /. Leaders said it
would be thrown out by similar vote
when the bill is taken up again
Thursday
Whirlwind OF Talk.
Ano ulSaTI1amenL ulScuSSion broke
early In the session after Representative
Knight, Republican tOhio). had
launched an attack against the bill.
The Ohio member announced he would
vote against the bill because of the con-
templated expenditure OF $50, ,000, 900 for
new battleships. the general need of
economy and the alleged questionable
advantages of capital fighting ships in
modern naval warfare. The speech
started a veritable whirlwind OF talk.
Seeing where the House was heading.
Chairman Kelley. OF the subcommittee
of Appropriations in charge of the meas
ure, tried to stop 1t with a plea that
the real disa armament debate be held
back until the section relating to new
construction had been reached. me
chairman's plea prevailed after sharp
clash in which Representative Huddles-
ton, Democrat tAla.). supported Mr..
Knight and declared general opposition
TO big army, coast defence and navy ap-
preparations.
Two amendments calculated to bring
the disarmament question squarely be-
fore the House were ruled out on points
OF order, and then Mr.. Connolly again
stepped to the front with a. revival of
the Brooks proposal IL stood up and
held its own against point of order, as
happened last session, and Mr.. Kelley
was pressing for vote and final pas
sage of the bill when he was persuaded
to permit the debate to continue with
out drastic restriction as To limiting
time, along with armaments
Mr.. knight. a new member, expla ained
that he had introduced to-day a resolu-
ton for appointment OF a commission to
investigate and report on the value of
battleships and cruisers before proceed
ing with the naval expansion pro-
eramme.
Pointing out what he regarded as big
objections to a cessation of building,
Chairman Kelley pleaded for rejection
OF all proposals relating to armament
conferences with other nations.
Let the President alone" he shout
ed. Let him work out q way with
hands united. IL the President can hit
upon plan to lift the burden OF arma-
ment his will be the greatest adminis-
tration our country has ever had re-
gardless of what else might be done"
MondeIl Objection.
Turning to those insisting upon a pro-
gramme which, he said, would hold back
work OF navy building until n confer
once had been called and then starting
IL with rush once the call was issued,
Mr.. Kelley declared:
Don't / urge you, place the United
States In a position OF showing bad
falth-calling nations TO discuss re-
duction of navles and instantly starting
work upon greater navy for itself"
Representative Mondeu (wyo), the
Republican leader. declared the Con-
molly proposal had been advanced last
session from Republican sour ces and
Overwhelmingly defeated.
This Is the argument we always meet
when disarmament is proposed" said
Mr.. Connolly. who led the fgat for his
amendment. Always the cry Is wait
and hush. don't let's talk ..bout II. We
know where the road teris II leads to
bigger navfes another war. 3nd then
more talk about disarmament We want
70 lead the world in reducing our naval
strength. you say. and vet you Insist we
must build the biggest navy anoat,
Attacking the cry OF economy, Mr..
Kelley said nohing could be saved by
stopping construction OF ships authorized
In the 1916 programme. became they
we're under way. with contracts long
awarded. materials Bought and on hand
and kees laid.
Notwithstanding. the Government
can make a substantial saving" 50 Id
Representative Fish. Republican On. W.
we can approach the contractors and
make some sort of a Compromise Fin
ishing the ships is not the only way
OUT