New-York tribune., 1921-01-28
BOrah, Warns
OF Blr1nder i'm
Navy Program
Says 1t Would. Be Stupen-
dous Error to Complete
16 Capital Ships, Then
Find They Are Obsolete
Cost 1000, 900 Each
Opposes Small or Weak Sea
Force. but Wants Facts
Before Modernizing Fleet
E~c.. The Trinune,s Washinaton sureon

T~cs~ The Tribume's Washington Bureou
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81 - Senator
Koran of Idaho, declared in the Senate
to-day that it would be a stupendous
blunder to complete the sixteen capital
ships now under construction by the
'u;ited States, at cost of S640, 100000,
If it should transpire that this class
of ships is obsolete or inefficient for
purposes of modern warfare. His
statement was made in a speech ad-
vocating the adoption of his resolution
providing for the suspension of the
naval building program for six months
until it could be ascertained what con-
stitutes modern navy.
He said the sixteen capital ships
would cost S40,000,000 each. He pointed
out that the agricultural bill carried
S3o, GOO, 900, or S7,000,000 less than a
single capital ship would carry.
Senator Borah quoted from editorials
from The New York Tribune, emphasize
ing the idea that the country was face
to face with the problem of what CON
stitutes fighting navy. He also
quoted at length from British naval
authorities to show that many Of them
believed the capital ship obsolete and
antiquated.
While the Senate took no action on
the Borah resolution. much interest
was aroused in tn, Senator's remarks
and many questions were asked. A
long discussion was aroused.
II happen to know" said Senator
Borah, that there are mensin the navy
who belleve the capital ship is no
longer dependable for modern naval
warfare. The English Cabinet has
taken up thisaquestion and is dealing
with 1t with its usual foresight and
vigilance"
He quoted Mr. Chamberlain to the
effect that the Cabinet members were
bound to satisfy themselves" that the
lessons of the war had been definitely
ascertained, and had decided on an
exhaustive investigation.
understand" added Senator
borah, that it is now the settled policy
OF the English government to know
wnat are the lessons of the war with
reference to what constitutes a fight
ing navy"
He quoted Admiral Scott of the
BRUSH navy, in The London Times,
saving the submarine and airplane had
revoiutlonlzed naval warfare and bat
tieships on the ocean were now in
great danger. With fifty moro sub
marines, Admiral Scott said. the Ger
mans would now be rulers of the
world. 10 the same effect, he quoted
Rear Admiral Hall and Admiral Grant
tretired), of the British navy.
senator Borah said he was not for
a small or weak navy, bu- he believed
tne Iacts should be found out, and if
the Naval Affairs Committee could not
obtain them from the Navy Depart
ment then. there should be resolution
for a thorough investigation of the
subject, and he would gladly offer one
senator Gerry, of Rhode Island.
called attention to the fact that Secre-
ttary Daniels had announced he was
navlng an investigation made. Sena-
tor Gerry observed that the nation
that had control of the seas and the
strongest capital ships in the war was
aoie to keep its merchant marine on
the seas.
Referring to statement in The New
York Tribune that there is not now in
the American Navy single modern,
up-to-date submarine, Senator Borah
observed: "That to me is a very start
ling proposition"
He said forty submarines could be
quilt for the cost of one battleship. and
ne would rather have forty submarines
along the coast than eight or ten battle
ships.
senator Borah referred briefly to the
movement for reduction of naval arma-
cients as having relation to the pro
Tosed suspension of construction.
Answering an inquiry of Senator
smith, of South Carolina, Senator
Borah said the people of Japan, the
United States and Great Britain were
Tor an agreement for reduction or dis
armament, and it would be reached if
they could express their opinion. but
ne did not know whether military,
naval, armor plate and ether Influences
would be able to block If