New-York tribune., 1921-02-03
Urges Navy Program Be
Carried Out Until Other
Nations Are i'm Position
to Reduce Their Forces
Kahn Says Harding
Wants Small Army
New Naval Bill Introduced
In House Provides for.
Total of 3o5 Millions
From ma Trfbune,a 1rnshsnaso. p...

IRON ihe Trfbune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The future
military and naval strength of the
american government was discussed
from three standpoints to-day in the
House and the Senate.
neneral John j. Pershing urged the
continuation of the naval building nro-
gram by the United States until all
nations had agreed on policy of dis
armament He approved the proposed
disarmament conference, but ad-
vanced the statement that neither
france nor England were prepared at
thls time to agree on any reduction in
armament General Pershing said he
believed that the principal nations
would give cordial response should
Mr. Harding, when he is President, call
conference on disarmament.
Representative Kahn, chairman of
the House Military Affairs Committee
IN general debate on the floor on the
army appropriation bill, disclosed that
Fresldent-elect Harding favored an
army OF not more than 175,0OO men at
this time, and later he would have
this figure cut to 10000. Mr.. Kahn's
statement was based on his talk with
the President-elect at Marion in Janu-
ary, when Mr.. Harding told him that
Americas standing army should be
limited to 175,OO0 men, to be gradually
reduced to 100000, with Congressional
provision being made for the training
OF 10000 volunteers each year to
serve as reserve force for any emer-
gency.
In the Senate Senator Gerry, of
Rhode Island, made strong plea for
large navy, asserting that general
disarmament was matter for the fu-
ture among nations. Senator Gerry
denied that capital ships had become
obsolete and asserted that the Monroe
Doctrine demanded that America have
strong naval force to enforce the
provisions of this measure
House Gets Naval Bill
The naval bill reported to the House
to-day carries a total appropriation of
1896, ,504 ,444.23, of which $90,OO0000 is
for carrying on the building program
launched in 1916. In reporting the bill
the committee estimated that Increased
costs of labor and material would swell
the total cost of the building program
from the original estimate of S544, ,7OO,-
600 to 1912 1881 900. Congress has al
ready appropriated $538,27 ,000 and the
added $90,000,000 in the new bill will
enable the construction work to be car
ricd out as fast as it has been in the
past. The 1916 program was for 1856
ships, but of these seventeen battle
ships and cruisers are still under con-
struction.
The bill carries nearly $500, 900 900
less than was asked by the Navy De-
partment and about $38 1000 600 less
than was appropriated last year. The
enlisted personnel of the Marine Corps
is cut from 27 400 to 10000 and of the
navy from 143, 900 to 100000. The lat
ter force, the committee estimated, was
large enough to operate 384 ships, or
thirty-two more than the navy pos
sessed in 1916. The appropriation for
aviation is $6,913,431, nearly $3O,000,-
900 less than was asked.
France could not very we'll disarm
now" General Pershing explained be-
fore the Naval Affairs Committee of
the House, in replying to question
from Representative Frederick G.
Hicks, of New York. ~ don't think it
would be safe until the very unsettled
condition Of Russia had passed.
France stands guard in Europe to-day"
GLOW about Great Britain 2" Mr..
Hicks asked.
"She occupies almost the same posi-
tion on the sea as France on land,'' re-
piled General Pershing. "And | would
say that there is considerable question
as to whether or not she would enter
upon such a question at this time, but
it would be worth while to consider the
details of disarmament while the ex-
perience of the war is still fresh in
everybody's mind"
"In your Judgment, is there any
prospect or hope that if the nations
were asked to meet in conference for
disarmament they would Gomez" asked
Thomas s. Butler, of Pennsylvania,
chairman of the committee.
"It would seem to me, in view of the
cost in life and property of the World
War, that the governments would be
likely to respond to any suggestion.
reading UP to discussion for the limi
tation of armaments," said General
Pershing. ~ can hardly conceive that
they would decline to enter into dis
cussion of that sort. If thev were
brought together around table, free
to discuss the problem. some conclusion
might be reached as to how an agree
ment could be made. | should think,
however, that the sane program for the
United States would be to continue the
(contnund on pasc four