New-York tribune., 1921-01-13
All Would Heed
Call to Disarn.
Gen. Bliss Says
s..nreu1e War Council Mem.
bcr Tells House Commit
fee Opinion Is Based on
Talks With Navy Leaders
Daniels Gives Some Data
s.ercsary Declares That in
1925 u. S. Fleets Would
BE as Great as Britain's

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-An Amer
;.an. esIl for q world disarmament con-
.s.,.ncs would be welcomed by the
~. sewers of Europe and would
N.elosa "the next Germany" should
.,v nation refuse to agree to disarm,
c1aersl Tasker h. Bliss, declared to-
a.yAefore tha House Naval Committee.
fhs.General gave to the committee
,uaressions he had gained through
4scussions of the subject with Euro
ssan statesmen and soldiers while q
member Of the supreme war council
and later Of the American Peace Com
uission. He said there was an imme-
ai,tp and sincere desire overseas for
ii,armament, but added that until q
deAnite agreement had been reached
ii would not "disarm one American
soldier or lay up one American snip"
General Bliss said also that .he
United States should complete her
present naval building program.
In this connection the committee re-
eeived from Secretary Daniels q full
satement as to the relative naval
strength Of the world powers, showing
;hat Of the United States to be now
midway between that of Great Britain
and Japan. His figures indicated.
however, that with the completion of
.he present authorized construction Of
tie three nations, the American capital
ship power would be as great as that
.. Great Britain. but with the ratio
ove. Japan slightly reduced.
The committee ended temporarily its
Disarmament hearing pending discus
sion by the members Of its future pro-
ram, but may examine other witnesses
later. Chairman Butler. who recently
returned from a conference with Pres
ident-elect Harding, said that within
very few months definite action will
be taken along the lines We are dis
;ussing here"
Hearing Ends Temporarily
The Senate Foreign Relations Com
nittee also concluded to-day its hear
ings on pending disarmament resolu-
ions. Senator Borah, Republican, Of
IDAHO, member Of the committee, pre-
iicted that his proposal for negotia-
ions looking to an agreement among
he United States, Great Britain and
Japan for a reduction of future naval
eunstruction would be favorably re-
ported in amended form. Both the pc
rod of the agreement and the extent
oi the reduction, he believed, would be
eft to negotiation.
Senator Walsh, Democrat, of Mon
lana. completed his arguments in favor
os his resolution proposing that the
President be authorized to designate an
american representative on the League
Of Nations disarmament commission.
Should the United States call for "a
.lll, free and fair discussion Of re-
L1ction of ornaments the favorable re-
s2onga would be prompt and inevlt=-
Be" General Bliss declared in his
statement to the House committee,
"Our present form of civilization
cannot stand the great strain Of mill
tary preparation much longer" Gen
sral Bliss said. "The World War was
= terrific strain on civilization. The
laxt war will be very much worse. Fear
rs the basis OF war preparation. This
is business proposition and we should
determine whether there is any real
|5asis for the fear that causes these
great military and naval programs"
Fiye Nations Could Do 1t
It would not be necessary to have all
.as nations Of the world represented
at the suggested Conference, the Cen
ssal said, if the United States, Great
britain, France, Japan and Italy
cached an agreement. The smaller
aatlors willingly would accede to any
'foposal put forward in good faith by
aese i've powers, he declared.
The former chief of staff said tha.
conversations with former Premiers
iemenccau and Orlando and Premier
lloyd George and other representa-
ives Of the Allied powers, in addition
the high military officials, he had
:ouad universal dread and horror
u tue international situation and the
yatentisIities FOR word chaos result
Ag from the World War.
Asked by Representative Oliver,
democrat, Of Alabama. if he thought
a agreement could be reached that
secid limit American expenditures for
s army to sl50,o0o, 900 annually, the
nicer said he had not gone into the
esalis, but believed that the expenses
,oaid be kept we'll within that figure.
rabies submitted by Secretary Daniels