Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-26
SENATE 0. KS
MOVE TOWARD
I. D|SARMA MENT
Borah's Amendment Is
Added to Naval
Bill, 74-0
Measure Authorizes and Re-
quests President to Call Con-
ference of Big Powers-En-
dorsement by House and APP
proval of Harding Probable

Washington, May 25 Unanimous
Senate approval was given today to
Senator Borah's proposal for an in
ternational naval disarmament con-
ference.
BY vote of "a to 0, the Idaho SEN
ator's amendment was added to the
naval appropriation bill authorizing
and requesting the president to in
vite the governments of Great Brit
ain and Japan to send representatives
to a conference with representatives
of the United States in effort to
reach some agreement on disarma-
ment.
The vote was in agreement with
the understanding reached last week
by administration forces to give their
support to Senator Borah's plan. Be
sides the 46 Republicans and % Dem
ocrats voting for the amendment
announcements were made on behalf
of many absentees that they, too ia
Nored the disarmament plan.
The amendment as adopted fol-
lows:
That the president is authorized
and requested to invite the govern
ments of Great Britain and Japan to
send representatives to a conference
which shall be charged with the duty
of promptly cffecting an understand
ing or agreement by which the naval
expenditures and building programs
of each of said governments. to wit:
The United States, Great Britain and
Japan shall be substantially reduced
annually during the next five years
to such an extent and upon such
terms as may be agreed upon, which
understanding or agreement is to be
reported to the respective govern
ments fer approval"
Upon passage of the bill, the
amendment will go to conference
with the House, but it's advocates
believe it will be endorsed and then
approved by President Harding.
With the Borah amendment in
corporated, an effort was made to
reach a vote on passage of the bill
late today, but this was frustrated
by debate arising on minor amend
ments. Senators LaFollette, Repub-
crat, Utah. also had several amend
ments pending. The latter promised
to introduce several to abolish what
he termed useless" navy yards and
depots.
Senator LaFollette made another
lengthy address today in opposition
to capital ship construction and con-
siderable more debate was in pros
pect when adjournment was taken
tonight. With tomorrow set aside by
special order for consideration of the
contested nomination of David H.
Blair to be internal revenue commits
sioner. immediate passage of the bill
was hazy proposition.
Administration leaders expressed
hope that it would be adopted late
tomorrow or Friday, but there was
possibility of delay until next week.
Among minor amendments adopt
! ed today was the committee provis-
ion for creation in the navy depart
ment of a special bureau of aero
nautics, with a head selected by the
president.
Another amendment by Senator
Smoot, Republican, Utah, adopted,
would authorize the department to
continue publication of the Shipping
Bulletin for the benefit of marine
and other interests. The amendment
provides that it be supplied to sub
scribers at total cost, about 81 a
day.
A reinstatement in the naval
| academy of Annapolis of ITO mid
shipmen who "flunked" and were
forced to resign last January was
the object of an amendment intro
duced by Senator Mcclellan, Demo-
crat, Tennessee. 1t went over for
further consideration. Senator Nc
Kellar and others contended that the
midshipman had not been fairly
dealt with in determinations. His
amendment proposed that they be
renominated and placed in grade
year behind their class.
Further negotiations were held
today between senators upon amend
ments recently defeated to establish
a new naval supply base at Alameda,
Cal, and for continuing work on
VI
Roadway toward an agreement on
the Alameda project was reported.
but advocates of the Charleston
work claimed to have assurances
that before vote. the Charleston
items probably would be reinstated.