Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-15
Enthusiastic Commentator
of Secretary Hughes Plan
Is Voiced by LEADERS of
Both Houses ~

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-(By
the Associated Press.)-General and
enthusiastic commentator was Civ
en- by members of congress today at
the American plan for limitation of
naval armament. Leaders of both
parties Joined in expressions Of ap-
prevail.
II feel that the program, a won
derful ideal, is destined for success, !"
said Senator Page, Republican, Yer
mont, chairman of the senate naval
committee. Ordinarily, it might be
difficult ito attain, but with feeling
of all peoples of the world as it is,
feel sure that the program, a
feasible, practical and liberal one.
from the American and also other
points Of view, will be translated
into an agreement"
Similar views were expressed by
Senator Hitchcock, Democrat, Ne
braska, ranking minority member OF
the senate foreign relations commit
tee. "A
1.-THE boldness and candor of Sec
rotary Hughes proposals captured
everybody" said Mr.. Hitchcock
1.-THE program is enormous and
believe will be a success. I felt
proud that we had such a secretary
Of state as Mr.. Hughes"
Senator PoindeXter, Republican,
Washington, who has active charge
Of naval appropriation bills in the
senate, said the program presented
"a very good basis, if properly work
ed out and proper guarantees for
fulfillment are. given. The general
plan as I view it," said he, puts
the United States on an equal foot.
ing with Great Britain and gives
Japan a somewhat higher relative
position"
Democrats Withhold Comment
Some Democratic leaders, includ-
ing Senator Swanson, of Virginia,
former chairman of the senate COM
mittee, and Representative Padgett,
Of Tennessee former chairman of
the house committee, and others
withheld comment.
Other members Of congress de-
ferred discussion until they could
study the American proposals more
carefully.
IT am afraid we have been too
generous at the outset" said Sena-
tor Moses, Republican, New Hamp-
shire, of the foreign relations COM
mittee, stating that he proposed fur
Their study Of the proposal.
One Democratic senator pointed
out that the naval appropriation
bill of 1916 had a clause giving the
president power to conclude an arm
ament limitation agreement without
a treaty. Another pointed out that
the disarmament clauses relating to
Germany in the treaty Of Versailles
declared specifically that Germany's
disarmament was stipulated in or
der to prepare the way for other
powers TO limit their armament
From the same source came the sug
gestion that Germany might well be
invited to, the present conference, to
be party to voluntary agree.
ment of limitation, as a factor OF
the French demands for an army
for potential defense against Ger
many
Senator Simmons, Democrat,
North Carolina, said he was heart
ilv in favor" of the Hughes sugges'
tons. .,
II think it was a bold play" said
Senator Simmons. ''I hope that the
other nations will agree to 1t and
if not. it will demonstrate that the
United States has taken the lead tor
ward world peaee."
"The plan is mastery one," said
Senator Smoot, Republican, Utah.
"It's conception and presentation re-
, fleet honor upon the nation. l am
sure that it will bring about sue
cess of the conference"
senator 'McCumber, Republican,
North Dakota, said the American
plan ''was splendid" 81 have no
doubt that it will insure a success
fnl outcome" said Mr.. McCumber,
a member Of the foreign relations
committee.
ssIt is a splendid beginning" said
Senator Fletcher, Democrat, Florl
Good Suggestion
Senator Pomerene, Democrat, OF
Ohio, another foreign relations COM
rnittee man, and author OF pend'
ing resolution to suspend naval con-
struction during the conference,
said the Hughes proposals We're a
very good suggestion.
Sneaker Gillett, of the house OF
representatives, said:
"The defniteness and explicitness
of Secretary hughes proposals
made one feel that we were at last
face to face with a new and aus
picious and far-reaching movement
in the progress of civilization"
Representative Mondell, OF Wyo'
ming, the Republican house leader
said:
1.-THE American plan goes further
than even the most optimistic coulo
have expected as the first sugges'
ton of the program. 1t SETS yto
rest all doubt as to our purpose ana
Is so fair and reasonable that tne
nations most affected cannot rail-
to realize it's logic and its falr-
ness. Without delay and without
euuivocation the president and the
American delegates have presented
a. plan which, if adopted, ends all
the dangers of competitive naVai
armament for this generation.
Representative Garrett, Tennessee
the Democratic house leader:
eft scratched the surface. NO
doubt the limitation of, armaments
conference will try to dig still deeper
to reach the end all peoples nope
for
Representative Kelly, of Michigan
chairman of the subcommittee on
naval appropriations of the house:
"It is a wonderful thing"
Definite and Clear Cut
Chairman Madden of the house
appropriation committee:
1.-THE definite, clear-cut, concise
positive, unequivocal declaration
outlining the program limiting the
naval armament, even to the nam
ing of ships that were to be kept
out, was an indication that that is
the policy intended to be pursued by
America both from the legislative
and the Fexecutive standpoint, and
will be approved by the unanimous
voice Of the American people"
Chairman Anthony, Of the sub
committee on military appropria-
lions of the house: