The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-01-28
BORAK ADVOCATES
DISARMAMENT PLAN
SENATOR FINDS SUP
PORT FROM TWO DEMOCRAT
&c SENATORS, McKELLAR OF
TENNESSEE AND KING OF
UTAH. DISCUSSION INJECTED
IN MIDST OF TARIFF DEBATE

san support for the naval disarma-
ment movement was given in the
senate today during discussion of
Senator Borah's disarmament reso-
luton.
Senator Borah's plan for an Off
cial determination of the future
value of big ships in the American
naval program was indorsed by Sen
ators McKellar of Tennessee and
King of Utah, Democrats, while
! Senator Borah sopke at some length
i in behalf of his project.
The disarmament discussion was
interjected in the senate tariff de-
bate but without any attempt to Sc
cure vote. While the senate dis
cussion was in progress the house
naval committee postponed indefi-
nitely the hearing of General PERISH
ing on disarmament, scheduled for
tomorrow, because of continued i'll
ness of Representative Butler of
Pennsylvania, committee chairman.
Senator Borah declared if the
people of the United States, Great
Britain and Japan could give voice
to their opinions, he felt confident
they would speak for a nagreement
to reduce naval building. He added
he would discuss later the sugges-
tions from Elihu Root and others
for postponement unit. after the in
auguration of the new administra-
ton of action on his resolution look
ing to a naval disarmament be-
tween the three powers.
Two Ways To Defeat
"There are two ways to defeat
disarmament" Senator Borah de-
clared. zone to oppose it conscien-
tiously. Another is that. adopted by
others in public life who are willing
to give lip service to disarmament,
| but conjure up all conceivable me-
thods to secure delay"
The Idaho senator said his other
resolution calling on the senate
naval committee for an opinion as
to whether the American naval
building program could be suspend
ed for six months until the value of
capital ships should be determined
was designed to develop Gas def
tnitely as can be known what will
bring US an efficient navy"
Many high naval officers, Senator
Borah said, believe that capital
ships have lost their value, because
of the development of submarine
and aerial warfare, but were unable
he said, to state their real opinions.
In this connection he pleaded for
what he described as "the release of
the real thought of the navy" and
asked that officers might be able to
give their real views to the govern-
ment.
May Move Again
Notice was served by the senator
that if the naval committee should
not act on his resolution of inquiry,
he would introduce another resolu-
tion calling for thorough investi-
cation of the naval program, the
relative value of capital and all
other ships and types of naval arma-
ment.
Senator King also urged an "ex-
haustive investigation" to deter
mine what units would make a mod
ern navy. He cites that the present
building program was adopted five
years ago before the United States
entered the war and before the
changes were brought about by the
submarine, and added should be set
tied whether the United States
should proceed with big ship con-
struction in view of the changes
in naval warfare.
Senator Gerry, Democrat, inter-
rupted to observe that in 1918 dur
ing the war, Secretary Daniels rec
commended an increased naval
building program. Senator King re-
piled that Secretary Daniels rec
concentrations were approved by the
American people and would be ere
pudiated if renewed"