Evening star., 1921-11-25
OPPOSE ANYTHING
THAT WEAkENSU.S.
Realized Far East Problems
: Contain the Germs
, I of War.
CONFIDENCE IN HUGHES
Opposition to Reduction Of subma'
rine Tonnage Proposed by
: British Is Manifest.
CONFIDENCE IN HUGHES

Members Of the Senate, particularly
those who have given attention TO
naval affairs and foreign relations,
are watching the course of the wash
ington conference on limitation OIL
armament with the keenest interest,".
So far there has been at the Capitol
a tacit agreement to withhold open
discussion Of the activities of the con-
ference. But in conversations, sena-
tors have depressed themselves vigor-
ously as to the proceedings on con-
ference roM ssasK -ss
The SepSts will scan with the grea..
est care any International agreement
that may be submitted to 1t 1or ap-
proyai, following the Washington con-
ferents While there is in the sen.
ate, as well as among the peoples ol
the United States generally, q strons
desirs>Qtbring about q plan Ior pus-
ting an end to the present naSal ouilu-
ing race. the, senator's are no iess
stronpIy intrenched in their bellef
that nothing should be done to weak
en- the United States
Possible Germs Of War.
Jt ia realized that the problems OF
the far east contain possible germs OF
war. The senators would view WIN
considerable alarm, 1t IS saia; any
weakening of the policy OF the Chiteo
states in the far east.
There is great confidence amohs
senators, however. in the firmness OF
Secretary Hughes in dealing with the
far eastern situation, and the opinion
was expressed today that any sette-
ment which would be forthcoming
from the Washington conferences g.
would not leave the United states IN
-.oLonad positiOn as compared TO
Attention was called today by q
member of the naval anairs comniil-
tee of the Senate to the navai apPIo-
priation act of August ~, 19io. "a
rying the United States naval puiia-
ing program now under way, ana 10
the clause in 1t which would autnor-
ire the President of the United states
10 suspend the building authorized IN
the event that any fnternsaonai
agreement should oe en.e .,nteD
rendering unnecessary the mainte
nance of competitive armaments. II
va. suggested that under the au-
thority Of this act. the presioen1
might halt the naval building pro
gram without further action by con,
Conferences should reach an agree,
ment for the Limitation OF naVal
armament.
Rut An examination of the act itself
does not bear out such q sussestio"
the act says. in part:
'.If at any time before the construc
tion authorised by this act shau xs hass
been established. with the cooperation
of the United States of America. an
international tribunal or tribunals
competent to secure peacetui deIsE-
limitations of all international as
s-kH aHoh
esary the maintenance Of competitive
armaments then, and IN that case,
such naval expenditures as may be
inconsistent with the engagements
made in the establishment of such
tribunal or tribunals may ny the De psss-
ident of the United States"
So far no such tribunal has been
set up, it is held, with the co-opera-
tion of the United States. ANY agree
ment for a naval building holiday,
such as that proposed by Mr. Hugnes
conference would necessarily have
to be passed upon, it is claimed, by
the Senate.
Advice to BE Sought.
II is not believed that the President
would seek to bring about the scrap
ping of United States naval vessels
and a naval building holiday without
seeking the advice and consent OF the
senate in the regular way prescribed
by the Constitution for dealing with
international relations.
There is much sentiment among these
senators against the proposal OF the
Rritish sfor a reduction Of the subnla-
rine tonnage, although they are willing
to ourtaJsthe size Of the submarines,
80 that only submarines for defensive
purposes may be included in the nayies
Of the three great naval powers. One
of the members of the r:aval affairs COM
mittee said today that it was incon-
ceiyable that the United States should
agree to give up it's defensive subma-
riIes in view Of the tremendous coast
line of this country, and the fact tnat
the United States was open to naval
attack at so many points along the