The New York herald., 1921-02-12
Stands Almost Alone IN
Senate Debate on Equal
I to Any Sea Force, rs
(, Recommended.
J INSISTS ON HOLIDAY
Senator Charges Commit
tees Investigation Was
I One Sided and Neglected
Air Problem.
POINDEXTER IN DEFENCE
Sees No Likelihood of War
With Japan and Declares
Capital Ship Essential
to Safety.
POINDEXTER IN DEFENCE
6pecioi Despatch to THE New YoRk HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
WASHINGTON. ID. C., FEB. IL.

bpeeiaI Despatch to THE NEW YosK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C., Feb. III.
The policy Of building an American
navy equal to that of any other Power,
Endorsed in a nearly unanimous re-
bort by the Senate Naval Affairs Com
mittee, found many defenders on both
sides of the aisle in the Senate to-
day. Debate on the question was pro-
roked by a criticism from Senator
Borah (Idaho) of the Senate commit
tees report. He insisted the invesu-
Ration had been one sided, that the
committee had not summoned W.T.
nesses who favored suspension OF the
naval building programme until the
efficiency Of the capital ship could De
fully proved and announced ms IN
tention or keeping UP the fight for
suspension when the naval appropria-
ton bill reaches the Senate.
Senator Borah's argument was an
swered chiefly by Senator Poindexter
(Wash.). who asserted that the ma
ton which abandons the capital ship
as the backbone of it's navy VIII pc
forced 70 haul down its flag over every
ono Of it's islands and other outlying
possessions"
MANY other Senator'S Joined in the
debate. senator Borah standing aimost
alone in his contention that the navai
prorrammc ought to H. suspende~
senators urging continuation or the
building programme in accordance win
the recommendations of the Gcnerai
Naval Board included Mccormick till.)'
Brandegcc (Conn.). France (Md.). Re-
nublcans, and Hitchcock tNeb), Pom
ereno (ohio). Gerry OR. ~ and Swan
son (va). Democrats. Senator hins
(Utah), the only member OF the Naval
Committee to oppose the big navy pro-
grammc supported Mr.. Borah.
Possibility of War.
n The possibility of war between the
United States and some other great
naval Power was touched upon with un-
usual frankncss in the discussion. SEN
stor Poindexter said he did not believe
war would come with Japan. but added
that II II did come America ought to be
prepared.
The fact that the Japanese House OF
Representatives by a vote of go TO 5S
yesterday rejected curtailment OF arna-
ment was referred to by Senator Nc
Cornick as a reason why the United
states should pursue a big naval policy.
Senator Borah did not refute that. but
1nsisted that the United States should
/
and not wasting money by building
obsolete ships. He reiterated his belief
|fhat there should be a preponderance of
aircraft and submarines.
There was a constant interchange of
discussion between those taking opposite
aides of the controversy. which included
a long discussion OF the lessons taught
by the battle of Jutland. Senator Poin-
dexter contended that this proved the
euperiority of the capital ship, and said
that without her great navy England
would have been defeated by Germany
and that the latter would have won che
war.
Senator Eorah emphasized that 10000
IEermans. constituting the submarine
personnel came very near to winning
1.-THE war"
FOIu0cAtcT hetortss
But they did not win IT," said Senator
Poindexter, "and England remains mis-
tress OF the sea because of the suprem-
scy OF the Grand Fleet"
Senator Borah read many extracts
from British newspapers which quoted
their naval experts who believe the cap
|ital ship Is obsolete and read state
ments. said to have been made by
american naval officers, whose identity
he did not disclose. arguing against the
ca pital ship and for a larger air and
submarine force.
Senator Gerry and others asserted that
these extracts were only one side OF the
British controversy and that the British
consensus favors the capital ship.
Asserting that the proposed suspension
of tho building programme was merely
10 insure an efficient navy in case II is
needed because Of failure TO obtain in
crnational agreements for disarma-
nent. Senator Borah exclaimed with
Emphasis:
II am Just as certain az I stand here
hat unless an agreement is reached by
he great naval Powers now in naval
competition competitive naval construc-
lion will lead to war as sure as night
Follows the day. ] desire first to make
every effort possible for such an agree
nent. III that cannot be done I desire a
modern, up 10 date. efficient navy"
He referred to newspaper reports pub
ished hero that Great Britain in propos-
ng that America suspend naval con-
truction was ndulging in propaganda to
interfere with Americas naval prepared
ness programme until Great Britain
,ould get ahead OF her. and asked Sena =
or Poindexter if the Naval Affairs Com
nittcc had investigated charges that
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