Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-11
ASK OFFICIAL VIEWS
Of DISARMAMENT
House Naval Committeeman
Question Cabinet Members
on the Subject.

Views of officials of the State
and Navy departments as to world
disa rnament were sought today by
the House naval committee. Chairman
Butler only recently held conference
OH the subject with President-elect
Harding at Marion.
Acting Secretary Davis Of the state
Department told the committee, when
asked as to his views regarding the
sincerity of the nations in their ef-
forts to bring about reduction OF arm :
ainents. that he could only say that
the powers, which had subscribed 10
the covenant of the league Of nations
had manifestly indicated their sincere
desire to reduce afmaments.
The secretary added that he believed
President Wilson felt that in his ad-
vocacy of the league. Of nations. ne
had taken. all necessary steps toward
disarmament. and that this accounted
for the fact that the President had
not called n disarmament conference.
as he was authorized to do by act OF
Congress.
Secretary Dauielsx' Views.
Secretary Daniels told the commit
tee that il Presdent-elect Harding
sought his advice he would urge him
to cali such a. conference on March S.
Unless that conference produced
permanent disarmament agreement
by all nations, Mr. Daniels said, the
United States should continue to
build a Navy second to none. He
characterized various naval holiday
proposals as half measures
Mr. Davis Questioned.
Secretary Davis was asked whether
he had knowledge that any nations
had approached President Wilson re-
gardinE the reduction OF disarma-
ment, His reply was that only on
the occasion Of the league Of nations
repre- sentative to the league commit
tee on reduction OF armament"
Have you any knowledge that
would Justify a belief that the ma
tions Of the world are seriously ready
to discuss disarmament at confer
ence at an early date? asked Chair
man Butler.
Il have no official knowledge of any
such desire. except through the
league" was the reply.
Mr.. Davis told the committee that
the only way it could obtain such
knowledge would be to communicate
with the other governments. Asked
if the State Department could make
such inquiries. he said:
.sJn view ,Of the fact that Congress
has authorized the President to call
q conference to discuss the subject, l
feel that any such action on my part
might be construed as coming under
not take such action without direc-
ton from the President.
..Would YOU consider taking the
matter up with the President to see II
it is his wish that such conference
be called?" asked Chairman Butler. =,
tn
u,as the reply. The President has
taken all the steps he feels he should
take. and if he wanted such con-
ference he would direct me to take
the necessary steps to call it.
Mr.. Davis, in conclusion. salo ne aia
consider calling conference because
such action might embarrass the
Harding administration.
Presents "Only Alternative"
An international agreement with
all or practically all. the nations
which will guarantee an end or COM
petition in Navy building was pre-
sented as the only alternative to the
bui,d;ng by the United States Of
navy Dowerful enough TO command
the respect and fear OF ehe "orio
by Secretary Daniels.
The naval Secretary dismissed as
unworthy of discussion a third pro-
nosal for an American Navy less than
a"nai eu to the most powerful sea power
in the world, because 1t is waste
to spend money on an agency Of war
which would be helpless if needed"
MI Daniels in outlining the advice
which he would give to President
siact Harding, should he be asked for
counsel on naval matters. said:
"If President ELECT Harding should
do me the honor to ask my advice on
the subject. 1 would unhesitatingly
say to him:
"If the United States is not to be-
come a member of the league of ma
tions l believe some plan should be
adopted to secure an agreement for
a reduction of armaments. You will
have the authority to call such con-
fsrance. You can act on March and
hasten the coming of the day when
faxpayers of this country and of all
countries may be safely freed from
the great burdens of war prepara-
tions. Until that conference secures
world agreement let there be no ces-
sation in building the ships author
ized by Congress"
Naval Holiday 'Half-Way" Measure.
Characterizing the naval holiday"
between the United States. Great
Britain and japan. provided for in the