The New York herald., 1921-02-10
SENATORS REJECT
PLANS TOCURTAL
BUILDING UP NAVY
Committee Votes to Keep
u. S. Force OH Par With
Any Other Power.
ONLY ONE DISSENTER
King of Utah Clings to Dis
armament and Will File
Minority Report.
CAPITAL SHIPS TO STAY
Would Substitute Airplane
Carriers for Is Craft Not
ONLY ONE DISSENTER
CAPITAL SHIPS TO STAY
Would Substitute Airplane
Carriers for Is Craft Not
Yet Contracted For.
spsciat Despatch to THE NEw YORK HERALp.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C.. Feb. A.

spsctde DeSpdtch 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Feb. o.
With only one dissenting member.
the Senate Committee on Naval AZ
/ fairs in a printed report to-day for
mally indorsed the completion of an
American navy at least equal to that
OF any other Power. The recon-
mendation of the Navy General
Board for continuation Of the naval
building programme as to capital ships
were approved. efficiency of the capital
ship recognized, and the development
OF submarine and air craft naval aux
iliaries favored. Senator King CUtah)
will file a minority report.
General reduction of ornaments, the
committee said, as earnestly hoped
for" but since it has not been estab-
. lished, America cannot leave itself un-
defended. ITO do so." the report said,
would be a wrong to the American
| people and no service to the cause Of
peace"
It Is recommended that contracts for
| twelve destroyers and six submarines
Included in the building programme for
which contracts have not been let be
eliminated and the construction of two
aeroplane carriers be substituted there
for
Text of Report.
The text of the committee report.
aside from the report of the Secretary
and General Board, which are included
in the report to the Senate, Is as fol-
lows:
"In view Of the Importance OF sea
power to the United States and the fact
that without il we would be at the mercy
of other nations II is the opinion OF
your committee that this country should
maintain a navy at least equal to that OF
any other Power. The lessons OF history
teach us with indisputable truth that we
cannot afford to depend for the main
tenance of our rights and the defence
of lives and commerce of our citizens
Upon the mercy, generosity or good will
of other Powers with rival or conflicting
interests and ambitions.
'Jt is the opinion of this committee
hat the United States should have un-
Ter its control sufficient force to pro-
ect and preserve both It's material pos
sessions the policies IL has established.
he lives and rights of its citizens and
no principles upon which its Govern
nent is founded.
"For these reasons We are or the
opinion that there should be no suspen-
,ion of the present building programme
pf the navy. which. as at present laid
put, is. at the most only designed TO
place us on footing Of equality With
my other Power upon the sea-"
The report expressed approval and
Endorsement OF the Navy General Boards
ummary OF the situation leading to the
conclusion that capital ships remain the
strongest naval unit. II recommended.
however. scientific study and develop
nent Of the submarine. aircraft and high
Explosives.
4 naval power armed with these de-
ices but lacking i'm battleships and
attic cruisers opposed TO rival
over with all auxiliaries and also heavy
hips would be at the mercy of the
nemy, the report said.
Want General Disarmament.
''The rival forces of light craft" II
aid. whether on or below the surface,
r in the air. would neutralize each
ther. leaving the power which possessed
eavy ships, armed with great guns, in
ndisputed control of the sea-
Other powers have not abandoned the
rajor ship, said the report. and are
Proceeding with extended programmes
battleship construction
"The members of the committed" the
port concluded, "are as anxious to
ring about a reduction of armaments
nd relief from the burdens which those
rmaments impose upon the nations OF
le earth as any one can be. bit no
isarInament would be OF any value un-
SIS IL was general. aud in the case of
ie great maritime powers universal
nhappily. this is not the case at the
resent time, and we must deal with
)nditions as they are. For one nation
leave itself exposed to attack while
nother is preparing all the engines of
ar would be not only folly, but the
reatcst danger to the peace of the
Iorid that could be imagined.
I've earnestly hope that an agreement
lay be reached among the nations for
general reduction of armements but at
he present moment universal disarma
lent has not been established and the
nited States cannot leave itself unde
rded Il it is threatened from any
,arter. To do so would be wrong to
e American people.