Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-27

Senator Borah has won the contest for the inclusion
of at least a tentative proposal for armament reduction
in the naval appropriations bill which is in progress Of
passage through congress. Early last winter Mr.. Borah
announced his intention Of pressing for the passage Of a
resolution authorizing and requesting the president of the
United States to invite the governments of Great Britain
and japan to negotiate for a program of reduction in
naval armament. The subject went over until the new
congress was convened and was again taken up in con-
nectfon with the naval appropriation bill. The bill passed
the house without any such provision being included and
the proposition seemed likely to die in the senate because
of the announcement that the administration saw no
necessity for it and was inclined to oppose it.. While no
very clear, declaration came from administration head
quarters, the understanding was that while the president
was not opposed to the principle. he questioned the ad-
visibility of including this proposal in the naval appro-
priation bill on the ground that it would be better to take
up the whole subject Of armament reduction with foreign
nations independently, and with the American construc-
ton program preceding in the background. ,s- 5E-
For some reason not stated. the Administration forces
in congress suddenly changed front. Whether the presi-
dent himself underwent a change of opinion has not been
made known, but leaders who have been closely in touch
with him and who are understood in a general way to
represent his policies, changed their position over night
from that of incorporating opposition to unqualified
acceptance, of the Borah amendment. The result is that
the adoption Of the amendment by the senate without a
dissenting vote. Not. only all the senator's present voted
for the amendment. but many who were absent recorded
themselves in favor Of it.. When the bill carrying this
amendment is adopted it will go back to the house. thence
probably to. a conference committee to adjust some other
details, and it seems regarded as certain that the amend
ment will be passed.
At one time very vigorous opposition was made to
the Borah proposal on the ground that it would create an
impression abroad that this nation. Great Britain and
Japan were involved in some unholy conspiracy to DOM
mate the world. 1t never was made clearhow a series Of
negotiations for the reduction Of armament forces could
by any stretch of the Imagination be considered a menace
to the world. but in the wisdom of some congressman 1t
had this appearance. Apparently, objectins congressman
have received new light and have concluded that a pro-
posal to disarm is not necessarily a threat to fight. s
Just what the adoption of this amendment will
amount to remains to be seen. II the president signs the
bill as amended, as he is expected to do, he will undoubt-
eddy invite the other nations into the proposed conference.
That this invitation Will be accepted is a foregone conelu-
sion. and there will then proceed negotiations to arrange
a basis upon which armament may be reduced with safe
ty to the nations interested AS the three powers named
are the great naval powers Of today and have no close
competitor, there seems to be no reason why some prac-
teal action should not result from the taking Of this step
by congress. 1t may be that this is to be the first step
in the program of armament reduction which the whole
world SO greatly needs and which most Of its people, SO
ardcntly desire.