Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-18
Ar1nyFunds
Cut toLinlit
Lodge Says
Senator Favors Reduction of
Armament But Only Under
Condition That Action
Be General.
Outlines Future Stand
BY GRAFTON S. WILCOX.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire
Washington, Aug. l7.-Replyins
to democratic heckling, Senator
Lodge, republican leader, outlined to
the senate today, some of the princi-
Piles which will guide him as one OF
the American representatives in the
coming conference of the world
powers.
He favors a general limitation of
ornaments, but he favors no limita-
ton unless it is general.
He regards armament reduction as
primarily necessary to relieve the
worlds economic distress and he
hopes that it will also promote uni
versal peace.
He considers that the United
States has already cut its army and
navy budgets to the danger line and
thinks it would be grave mistake
to make further curtailment un-
less there is an international agree
ment for reduction of armament.
The debate began when Senator
Lodge, opposing passage of the
100000, 900 good roads bill on the
ground of economy, declared that
army and navy appropriations had
been reduced below the level OF
prudence.
Cut to Danger Point.
1--WE have cut down with great
severity the appropriations for tho
army and navy which | regard as
absolutely necessary expenditures
for any government which means
to protect itself against dangers
which may come to any nation said
Senator Lodge. 1--WE have cut the
army below a point which seems
to me safe. We have cut the navy
down to such point that work on
necessary ships, such as battle
cruisers and airplane carriers, has
been either stopped or slackened.
This is exactly like a man who
economies by giving up his insur-
ance, whether on his house or on his
life. | think these reductions of our
ARMY and navy have been carried too
far already, but to cut down the naval
appropriations $l00,000,000 below
what is needed to complete, in .
reasonable time, our building pro-
gram and give us usch navy as we
should possess under present condi.
| tons is an economy Of the most
dangerous kind.
when we make suck reductions
as these and such reductions for the
army as we have made It is wholly
| indefensible to take all we have saved
en- the navy and spend it for good
roads which are instruments of pros
perity and convenience. but which
are not an insurance of our safety
nor a security for our peace"
Harrison Deplores Stand.
Senator Harrison of Mississippi,
democrat, deplored Senator Lodges
attitude regarding armament
THE success or failure of the con-
ference depends upon the personnel
of the delegates" said Senator Har-
rison. II am hopeful tina. the senator
from Massachusetts, will change his
views and work in cooperation with
the representatives OF the other coun-
tries to bring about a limitation OF
ornaments.
Senator Harrison declared that
President Harding should appoint
Senator Borah of Idaho a member
of the American delegation in recog-
milton of his efforts in behalf OF dis
armament. Senator King Of Utah,
democat, suggested that the appoint
ment of Woodrow Wilson would be
logical and proper.
Senator Harrison also demanded
that the conference be held in the
open. He offered an amendment
to require the American delegates
to use their influence for open ses-
sions of the conference. He gave
notice that he would move, to sus-
pend the rules to make the amend4
ment in order as a rider on the de-
hciency bill containing the 100000
appropriation to defray the expenses
OF American participation in the COM
ference.
The first delegation to press for
woman on the armament reduction
conference was received by the
president at the executive offices to4
day. The delegation from the Ma,
tional League of Women Voters car,
ried the resolutions passed by the ma
tional convention in April and by the
executive board in July.
President Harding received this
delegation with his characteristic
cordiality. Mrs. Park made the pres4
entations. In accepting the resolu.
tions, President Harding said that
he was very anxious to have the in-
tuitions and influences of women
utilized in this conference and hs
was confident that the problem would
be worked out satisfactorily.
IL A