New-York tribune., 1921-05-18
leaders Advise Members
TO Vote as They Please
After Harding Refuses
TO Oppose Borah's Plan
Will Not Hold Up
Present Program
Urges u. S. Agree With
Japan and England on
Navy Cut in 5 Years
=. - r.ibnne,a Wnahinnto,. Ruren

reos The Tribare's Washington BuYeoa
NAsHINGT0N. May H. Enough
,osss to assure adoption by The Senate
i lac Borah amendment to the naval
.,osoOriation bill requesting the Presi-
aspt 10 call conference of Japan. the
r,si,cd States and Great Britain to dis
.,ss disarmament were in sight to-
,isbs Senator Poindexter's announce
rent to-day that he would support the
,nenameut, coupled with President
Hsrdings unwilIinsness to take a posi-
i've stand opposing the Borah plan,
brOught sudden change in sentiment
tosard the measure and convinced Re-
,ublicsn members who oppose it that
.sey could not rally sufficient VOTES to
ssfest the amendment.
In all probability it will be called up
o.mcrrow and adopted, with all or
sssrIy all Of the Democrats and many
republicans voting IN favor.
Say Harding Is Not Opposed
Several Republican leaders came for
gard with Senator Poindexter in favor
NO tie proposal. The Senator from
Washington said after the session that
President Harding had advised him he
vss not opposed TO such an amendment
h the bill. While he did not assert
he President had written to this effect
h aid say that he had written the
President relative to the Borah propo-
,ition and that nothing he had received
rom Mr.. Harding indicated any reason
ior opposing the Borah resolution o,
smerdlnent. It is the understanding
Il Senate circles that the President, il
,eply to Senator Poindexter's letter
abused him he did not desire to tak'
stand II opposition.
Following g conference among Sena
tsrs Lodge, Curtis and other Leaders
he word was passed to Republican
Anators that they could feel free K
yae as they pleased regarding tht
hgsh suggestion.
Senator Poindexter when asked abou
as developments leading up to the
gaien change said that he had writ
ta TO President Harding relative TX
IL B9rah disarmament resolution. He
ls;used to say whether he had any
psg. In answer TO the question as tc
vsahe gathered was the President
4 atIsoe as the result of the CORE.
q gsience he said:
n Ihave not received anything indi-
4 sing any need or reason for making
4 pent of order against or opposing
4 tc Borah resolution amendment, which
& lie same as The one adopted in The
4 lsss Congress. Personally an
asrsily in favor OF an internationa
4 Imitation of arnlaments upon basis
/ yaich will do justice to the Unitec
States and not inperil our nationa
afety and I think every possible
nsans of bringing that about should
be tried OF course, it would be,
/ tank, very unwise, in fact a great be
4 tfsyai Of our trust, if we abandoned
Tie national defense in advance oi
such an international agreement"
Senator Poindexter added:
In my personal opinion this amend
rent will not in any way embarrasi
4 Or hinder the President IN bringing
ihout an international conference fol
Imitation OF armament in such man
Fsf as he may determine. 1t is simply
IN expression of feeling and really
adds nothing to the declaration in the
naval act of 1916, which is still effec-
tive"
The Borah amendment was first in
Eodnced as resolution and later pro
Ssed as an amendment to the naval
I oll. 1t provides as follows:
| That the Pr sident is authorized ant
Continued page thres)