New-York tribune., 1921-01-22
Urges U. S. Lead
In M We for
Disarmament
~.
Henry White, Former Peace
Envoy, Would Limit Ini-
I tial Conference to Brit
ain, Japan and America
Chaos in World Farley
Great Tax Burden Makes
All Nations Anxious to
Cut Expenses, He Asserts

W<1S~&A&v ~ ~%>S SoAs SA-<2uQtnSx OF
As American commissioners who
hslped draft the Treaty Of Versailles
Henry White, Ambassador to France
Tader President Roosevelt - told the
House Naval Committee to-day that
De time was ripe for world disarma-
uent and that the United States should
initiate the movement. The confer
enee, he said, should be held in this
epuntry.
General Pershing's views will be
sought next Tuesday. The committee
already has heard General Tasker H.
Bliss, former American representa- tive
sf the Supreme War Council and a
nember Of the peace delegation; Sec
setary Daniels and Acting Secretary
Davis Of the State Department.
Whether it will hold further hearings
after Tuesday has not been deter
mined
Mr. White gave 1t as his opinion that
the great burden of taxation resulting
from the World War made the peoples
q all nations anxious to cut down on
expenditures for armaments. He de-
elared the world was "crying for some
agreement" to limit armaments as q
means Of reducing taxes.
Wants America at Top
Discussing the proposed naval holi-
day" the former ambassador said he
did not think the United States should
stop the naval construction it now has
under way. He said he would like to
zee the United States at the top when
the disarmament discussion begins and
suggested that the relative Sizes of
navies could be fixed by agreement at
the proposed conference. He added
that questions raised at the conference
might show "the right of some nations
Great Britain, for instance--to a
larger navy than others"
Any gathering looking to general dis
armament should include France and
Italy as we'll as che United States,
Gteat Britain and Japan, the former
ambassador said, but discussions look
ing to reduction of naval building
should be limited. for the present
Il least, to Great Britain, Japan and
the United States.
" think it would result in chaos if
oil nations of the world were to be
represented at the proposed con-
ference" said Mr.. White.
Opening Way to Bolshevism
"Would not general disarmament
spen the way to Bolshevism through
out Europe" asked Representative
Bftten, Republican. Illinois.
II think France might feel that way"
said the witness. 1.-THE keeping of
Germany in a state of chaos over
reparations is opening the way to Boil
shevism more than any other factor
night now, in my opinion. The pres
ent condition Of Germany makes Boil
Shevism menace"
As to the time of calling a con-
feTence, Mr.. White said that should be
LETT to President-elect Harding. He
did not think President Wilson should
call it, as the fact that he would re-
TIRE .on March 4 might lead the other
nations not to take the invitation
seriously.
open Covenants Impracticable
The general impression I got
abroad was that all nations desire to
reduce their military establishing nts, -
mr: White said, adding that he saw no
objection to naval holiday" while
disarmament vas being discussed.
The former peace commissioner said
me expression "open covenants open
arrived at" was beautiful theory.
put was ;mpracticable because some
regulations between nations must be
secret: He added that he had alwavs
oeen inclined to the theory that "war
haJ~s h.J no law. and for that reason
a.o never been able to place his faith
~ sne Hague conferences.
while the hearings were in progress
peiore the House Committee, Senator
france, Republican, Maryland. nre-
sensed to the Senate a proposal That
ine United States, Great Britain and
sspan agree to a reduction by 1895 of
ose-toursh Of their relative naval
srssength on next July /. Senator
france embodied his proposal in an
amendment to the pending resolution
u Senator Borah, Republican. Idaho.
SSlreeting the President to cali a con.
sserence of the three principal powers
aor reduction Of their naval building
programs. The Maryland Senator'S
ssso'ution would create a commission
~ ~ naval experts Of the three powers
!" asranse gradual reductions between