Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-02
D|SARM|NG MOVE
HELPS NAVAL BILL
Compromise Proposals on Sew
eraI Provisions Also Improve
Chances of Passage
SENATE RESUMES DEBATE

Washington, March 2.--prOSpccts
for passage Of the naval appropriation
bill were said by Senate leaders 10 have
improved when the Senate rcConvencd
today to continue its struggle.
Conferences between leading sup
portcrs and opponents of the Senate in
creases were said 10 have opened path
toward a compromise by which the
bill might be saved from defeat.
Besides these compromise proposals
on appropriations the one outstanding
development which has improved the
chances for favorable action on the bill
was the adoption yesterday Of the
amendment designed to bring about II
conference Of tho United States. Great
Britain and Japan TO consider naval
disarmament
The amendment, originally presented
by senator Borah. was put before tho
senate by Senator Edge and was unan
imously adopted. II requests the Prosi
dent to call conference Of the three
powers named at which the whole ques
tion OF naval disarmament would be
discussed.
Try to AppcaSe BoraIi
Compromise proposals discussed to-
elimination from the bin of amend
m"nts for the Alameda. Calf. and other
Pacific c0usl naval bases. upon which
ScnntorS Borah and King have rCntCrcd
their fire. Reduction Of committee in
crcascS for navy aviation and personnel
to II point which might he acceptable to
the House also was talked of.
Protrncted debate before any settle
ment could be reached was predicted by
both sides. At the outset today Senator
Poindcxtcr. in charge OF the bill. gave
notice that he intended to keen the Sen
atc in continuous session until u vote
vas had.
Some senator's said TINT the navy bill
was being used ns Il buffer to prevent
consideration Of the soldier bonus and
other legislation which various Scna
tors oppose.
The disarmament amendment was
adopted at secret session held at the
request of Senator Lodge who declared
there wCrc some angles Of the bill which
should not BE- discussed IL public. Re-
lations between the United States and
Japan were said to have been the chief
subject. although tho nations foreign
relations generally were discussed.
No Bonus for Arsenal Workers
Despite the long row over the naval
measure the Senate last night found
time TO adopt the conference report on
the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill. Tint hill now goes
| to the President minus the provision
for a S240 bonus for navy yard and
navy arsenal employees
The House last night likewise cleared
up one piece Of legislation when it voted
to accept Senate amendments to the
resolution repeating virtually all war
time laws. and that measure now goes
to the President.
Speaking in the secret Legislative s"S-
sion yesterday, Senator Lodge de-
clared the existing state of relations
among the leading nations and the spc-
Ciic problems confronting the United
States in international affairs were such
that America should not curtail her
naval building program nor suspend con-
struCtion of vessels under contract.
Urges Passage OF Naval Bill
Mr.. Lodg" dealt frankly with Amer.
ica's problem in the Pacific. Some of
his references to Japan were of such
pointed nature that senator's charged
him with raising the "bugaboo" of war
with that power. The Republican
leader made no prptensc of Disgusting
his desire to end talk of naval disarm-
ampnt moves by the United States
until other great powers had taken like
steps or actually entered conference.
lie was anxious that the $500. .0OO 600
naval appropriation bill might be passed
before Friday noon, but the burden OF
his plea was against any suspension of
naval construction such as has been
urged by Senator BOrah.
Senator Lodge indicated the Repub-
lican administration might be expected
to establish without delay Il vigorous
policy in the Pacific. and he held that
adequate defensiIe works on the west
coast were essential to the success OF
that, policy.
While many senator's. especially the
Democrats. led by Senator Williams,
of Mississippi. who attacked Mr.. Lodge
vigorously, and at some length. during
the secret session. declared they re-
garded the Lodge move as IAN effort to
frighten us into voting for this BILL"
it was evident the Republican leader
himself regarded the whole matter more
seriously.
Although no suggestion leaked from
the Senate'S secret session to the effect
that Senator Lodge had indicated that
war between the United States and
Japan might be imminent or possible,
Senator Borah late last night entered
upon an intimate discussion of that
question.