The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-05-18
HARDING'S POSITION
BRINGS. ARGUMENTS
Senators Not Agreed as to Naval Dis
Armament Views-Borah Dis
cusses Proposed Measure


Harding's attitude toward the pro-
posal of Senator Borah, Republican
Idaho, for naval disarmament con-
ference between Great Britain, Jap,
an and the United States was
brought into question in the senate
today during debate on the half bill
lion dollar naval appropriation bill.
Senator Borah said the president
had not indicated any opposition
during a recent conference on the
subject, while Senator Hale, Repub-
lican, Maine, who also discussed the
Borah amendment with Mr.. Harding
q few days ago declared that the
president thought action by con-
gress unnecessarily.
Because of the presidents state
ments to him, Senator Borah said he
had paid ."little attention" to a pub
hshed statement of Senator Poindex
ter, Republican, Washington in
charge of the naval bill that the
president opposed the disarmament
suggestion.
Senator. Hale replied that he had
accompanied Senator Poindexter to
the White House a few days ago.
I'VE talked over the question of dis
armament" he said "and I gathered
from what was said there that the
president thought it was not neces-
sary for congress to 60 ahead in
this way with the resolution"
Senator Berah replied thst he
would be glad to have statement
from Senator Poindexter, who, how
ever, was not in the chamber at the
time, and then he could and would
relate in detail what the president
had told him on the subject. That
the matter would be aired further
during debate, possibly tomorrow,
was indicated. It also was init
mated that then President Harding
might give formal expression of his
views on the subject.
The appropriation bill was at a
complete standstill all day, while
broadsides were fired by advocates
the Borah proposal. Addresses in
favor of the disarmament amend
nent were made by Senators Borah,
NorroS Kenyon, King and Heflin,
Senator Overoman, North Carolina
also spoke briefly in favor Of the
disarmament conference plan.
Senator Borah denied that his
amendment would constitute '"di-
rection," to the presidents He en-
phasAed that it merely would ere
quest" the president to have repre-
sentatives of Great Britain and jap
an confer with American represen-
tatives on disarmament.
That congress had taken action
similar to the Borah plan when it
attach the rider to the 1916 naval
appropriation bill autorizing Presi-
dent Wilson to call a disarmament
conference was stressed by Senators
King and :Heflin. Senator King said
he was "amazed" at reports that
President Harding opposed the Bo-
rah amendment.
d" deny the right of the presi-
dent" he said, to interpose and pre-
vent congress from expressing
views on great question like this.
When did it become an offense for
congress to express its views on
such a ubject?"
Senator King recalled that the Bo-
rah plan was adopted unanimously
by the senate during the last session
as separate resolution, while Sem
ator Heflin declared that congress
could not defend refusal or failure
to take this step towards peace"
He also deplored any attempt to
smother to death a measure which
means peace"
The disarmament advocates had
the senate forum virtually to them
selves today and stressed considera-
tions Of economy in military expen-
ditures and deplored any attempt to
enter naval competition with other
powers.