New-York tribune., 1921-05-17
Disarmament
Senators Block
Navy Bill Action
Republican Leaders Talk Of
Invoking Steam Roller
L acti ic $ To-day TO
Put Appropriation Over
Pomerene Leads Attack
La Toilette Declares Ships
Should BE Held Up and
Money Spent on Veterans 5


WASHINGTON. May 16.-Supebrt-
ers of disarmament measures blocked
action in the Senate to-day on the
naval appropriation bill by vigorous
attacks on it, and after day Of debate
no progress had been made toward
consideration of the amendments pro-
posed or Of the bill itself.
Republican leaders in the Senate,
becoming impatient with the speech
making and believing that the advo-
Gates OF disarmament are seeking to
start backnre in the country, talked
of applying steam roller tactics and
intimated that an effort in this direc-
tion might be made tomorrow.
Senators Pomerene, of Ohio. Demo-
crat, and La Toilette. Of Wisconsin,
Republican. took the lead in calling for
reduction of the naval expenditures
and for adoption of an amendment in
favor of reduction of armaments or
disarmament
Senator Pomerene, who has q dis
armament amendment, spoke first and
addressed the Senate Cor more than
an hour In favor Of the adoption of
an amendment for disarmament or re-
duction of naval strength by agree
ment. He pleaded with the Senate to
adopt either the Borah resolution or
the Pomorene resolution for reduction
of armament as an amendment to the
pending bill. He denied that adoption
of such an amendment would trespass
on the rights of the President or be
reflection on him.
Pleads for Delay in Building
As to the temporary hating Of con-
struction until there can be disarma-
ment negotiations, Senator Pomcrcne
said:
"The financial loss will not be one
half the moral loss that we will sus-
will look to reduction of our naval
armament.
eve have long record of profes-
sion in favor of disarmament and now
when we can do it with entire safety
to ourselves we take no action"
He declared the Senate was taking a
stand not only for armament, but "for
the greatest armament in ali the
world"
Presenting a comparative statement
of the naval strength of the United
States, Great Britain and Japan, he
said the United States now had 16
cruisers; Great Britain 26 and Japan
10. In 1928 the United States would
have q, Great Britain 28 and Japan l6.
In 1927. when the program on which
this COZ ntry is now working is com
pleted, he said. the United States
would have 144 battlcships, battle
cruisers ard other large warships,
Great Britain 1870 and Japan 63
with our completed program" he
said, eve will have of the classes of
ships compared more than two to one
Of Japans."
He paid a tribute to Joscphus Dan
iels as "one of the ablest Secretaries
of the Navy we have ever had" He
pointed out that Daniels, in a recent
article, indicated uncertainty whether
the dreadnought was to continue as the
chief reliance of the navy. Senator
Pomerene protested because of the eff
forts OF Senator's supporting the bill to
continue building types Of craft whose
usefulness was unknown. He quoted
from naval engineer to show that
surface craft were at the mercy of
long-range torpedoes from submarines
and of bombardment from the air.
Claims Public Sentiment
Senator Pomerene declared that nine
out of ten Of the men and women of
the country would vote for negotiations
on disarmament if the proposition were
submitted to test.
Senator La Toilette followed Senator
Pomerene. He scored the increase in
appropriations by the Senate Naval At
fairs Committee in bitter terms. He
took UP first the recent charges Of Sen
atnr Walsh. of Massa chNsetts 10 the