The Washington times., 1921-01-09
ASKS PROOF Of
NATIONS FAITH
Butler, at Marion, Would Con-
tinue Building Warships Until
Powers Show Hands.
By JACK ROYLE.
international News Service.

MARION, Ohio, Jan. Eve war ,
to know whether the nations askiI z
disarmament are in earnest" Coz
gresham Thomas Butler of Penn
sylvania, said after comforting on
the naval policy OF America with
Senator Harding.
Are we to go hand in hand with
them or alone? We want to know
quickly, and | am going to try to get
information on that subject next
/, Tuesday at the hearing of the House
Naval Affairs Committee"
INTENSELY PLEASED.
Mr.. Butler stated that he was strong
ly in favor of completing the 1919
naval program, which provides for 1856
ships OF the larger types. and went
away declaring himself intensely
pleased with the reception his ideas
had met.
We are not going to destroy the
navy" he said, and added that bill
providing for a naval restrve OF CO.
900 men paid from the Federal ! reas-
ury would be introduced at once and
rushed to passage.
We want to keep the efficient fea-
lures of the naval establishment" he
cdut puN Nilc "hSNttul features uluSI
be discarded. l am in favor of com
pleting the naval building program OF
1916, but l do not advocate rushing
that program in view OF the condition
OF the Treasury. / think all the ships
now laid down should be completed
in 1924. II Great Britain docs not in
crease her naval establishments, we
would exceed her sea forces by 200, 200
tons at the end of that time.
Il am greatly encouraged ov the
possibility of securing a real naval
reserve. The plan I have In mind Won d
provide a force of $4,000 real seamen re-
cruitCd from the merchant marine and
paid from the Federal Treasury.
Each man entering the merchant ma
rine would be asked to enl st In the
naval reserve and would be trans
ferred to navy ships for one or two
months "A year. Enlistment. however,
would be entirely voluntary"
NOW Is FAVORABLE TINE.
Mr.. Butler said that II disarmament
ever was to be made effective, now
was the time to try II, as financ al
conditions had placed il in a favor
able light in the minds of all. He was
firm, however, In his determination to
maintain the naval supremacy of the
United States until such tine as
absolute ASSURANCE COulu De TtCtlNcu
hat other nations were reducing
ornaments in good faith.
He declined to reveal who would
be called on for information as To
Gisarma nent next Tuesday besides
Secretary OF the Navy Daniels, but
| indicated that IL might be possible
to find some persons who won be
In position to speak at least unoffi-
Cially for other nations.
The civilian personnel OF the navy,
/ he declared. must be reduced materi-
ally and indicated that the develop
ment or maintenance OF pants and
establishments not deemed OF p mary
necessity would find little support. In
this connection he mentioned specific
ally the proposed naval base In San
Francisco Bay, which he declared UNI
necessary In view of the plart at
Mare Island.
The S2T5,0O0.OOO asked for the 10 =
600 civilian . rploycs, he Indicated,
would be materially reduced.
Japan az naval menace TO this
country, lac asserted, need not b.
feared and added that while Japan
was engaged In a naval building pro-
gram, II need be the occasion OF no
acute concern at present.