The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-01-21
INSISTS WORLD is
EAGER TO DISARM
General Bliss Declares Great
Powers Would Welcome Con-
ference Call by u. S.
SUCH ACTION is FORECAST.
House Committee Head Predicts Def
mite Move "AIone Lines Being Dis
cussed"-OutIines Strength OF
Principal Sea Powers.

Washington.-An American call foJ
world disarmament conference would
be welcomed by the great powers of
Europe and would disclose "the next
Germany" should any nation refuse to
agree to disarm, General Tasker H.
Bliss declared before the House Ma.
val Committee.
The general gave to the committee
the Impressions he had gained through
discussions Of the subject with Euro
pean statesmen and soldiers while a
member of the Supreme War Council
and later Of tho American Peace Com
mission He said there was an imme-
date and sincere desire overseas for
disarmament, hut added that until a
definite agreement had been reached
he would not "disarm one American
soldier or lay 10 one American ship"
General Bliss said also that the Unit
ed States should complete her present
naval building program. In this con-
nectiOn the committee received from
Secretary Daniels a full statement as
TO the relative naval strength of the
world powers, showing that Of the
united States TO be now midway he
tween that Of Great Britain and ia.
pan. His figures indicated. however,
that with the completion of the pres
ent authorized construction Of the
three nations. the American capital
ship power would be as great as that
of. Great Britain, but with the ratio
over Japan slightly reduced.
The house committee concluded tenn
porarily its disarmament hearing pend.
Ing discussion by the members of its
future program, hut may examine 9th
er witnesses later. Chairman Butler,
who recently returned from a confer
Pnce with President Fleet Harding
said that "within very few months
definite action will he taken along the
lines we are discussing here"
The Senate Foreign Relations Com.
mittee also concluded its hearings on
pending disarmament resolutions. Sen
ator Rorah, Republican. Idaho, mem
her of the committee. predicted that
his proposal for negotiations looking
m an aCreeme.t between fhe United
States. Great Britain and Janan for
reduction of future naval construction
would he favorahly reported IN amend
cd form. Both the neriod of the nrrec-
ment and the extent of the reduction.
he believed would he left TO negotla.
tion.
Senator Walsh Democrat, Montana
completed his arguments 10 the com
mitteP in favor Of his resolution pro
posing that the President he au'horiz-
o. 10 designate an American repre-
sentative on the League of Nations dis
armament commission.
"The nation that would come 10 such
II conference and refuse to agree 10
Snv proposition looking 10 disarma-
mpnt or NJ least reduction If its mill
tary establishment" said General
bliss. I'm urging before the house com
mittee II move for world disarmament.
could he written down ms The 1Px3
Germany and the United States could
make It's plans accordingly"
sour present form of civilization
cannot stand the great strain of mill.
tary preparation much longer" Gen
eral Bliss declared 1.-THE world war
was terrific strain on civilization.
The next war will he very much worse.
Fear is the basis Of war preparation.
This Is n business proposition. and We
should determine whether there Is any
real basis for the fear that causes
these great military and naval pro-
grams"
II would moi he necessary to have
all the nations NJ the world represent
ed nj the suggested conference. the
general said. II the United States
Great Britain. France. japan and Italy
rpnched an agreement The Smallp:
natIons would willingly accede 10 ans
proposal put forward In good faith ny
these five great powers. he declared.