The state herald., 1921-01-25
CONGRESS LIMITS ARMY
GENERAL PERsHING THINKS 200,
900 SAFE MARGIN FOR v. 8.
JOINT RESOLUTION DIRECTS SEC
RETARY OF WAR TO STOP
ENLIsTMENTS.
tw..tern Ns-.p.per Union New. ser'i,l

Western Newspaper Union News Ser'cs.l
Washington, Jan. 1S.-Congress has
voted to limit the regular army to 49,
600 enlisted men.
The Senate, Al to 33, set aside Its
decision of last week to reduce the
army to 10000 and then without a
record vote adopted the original joint
resolution of Senator New, Republic
an, of Indiana, directing the secretary
Of war to stop recruiting until the
army Is cut TO 175,OOO.
The House ten minutes later adopt
cd, 2S5 to 4, joint resolution spon-
sored by Chairman Kahn of Its mill
tary affairs committee, also directing
the secretary of war to cease enlist
ments until there are not more than
175,0O0 enlisted men. Only Represen-
tatives Bee, Texas; Blackman, Ala
bama, and Cody, Maryland, Democrats,
and Cramton, Michigan, Republican,
opposed the reduction.
The two resolutions IRE almost iden-
tical in their provisions, each provid-
ing that the 175,O00 limit shall not
prevent the re-enlistment Of men who
have served one or more enlistments.
The language, however, differs some
what and either the Senate or House
will send its resolution to conference
for re-arrangement. Action by the
Joint conference committee is expected
speedily.
This action was taken against the
recommendations Of War Department
heads and General PershIng
Secretary Baker, before the Senate
military committee, advised against an
army Of less than $1,000 after the
present necessity Of economy had
been relieved" General Pershing de-
clared an army Of 100000 men consti-
tuted safety margin.
The Senate vote showed that sew
eral senators who last week went on
record A. favoring an army Of 10000
had changed about, placing their sup
port behind the 175.OOO figure. Some
senators said privately that President
Wilson would sign resolution placing
the army at 175,OOO. but would not ap-
prove smaller number.
There was no party division in the
Senate, and the final votes were taken
after an all.day debate, enlivened by n
clash between Senators Phelan, Dem.
ocrat, California, and Williams. Demo.
crat, Mississippi, over Japanese az.
grcssion. Senator Phelan urged strong
er Earrisoning Of Pacific posts. and
Senator williams declared that Japan
had neither power nor desire to fight
this country over what may be done
In California" regarding japanese
questions.
Referring to suggestion BY Sena.
tor Phelan. that disposition OF the
Island OF Yap with Its cable communal.
cations was a delicate problem re
mainIng for adjustment, Senator VII.
lIams declared 1t was not a question
which would involve America In war.
'Three-fourths of the senator's don't
know where zap is," he said. "Yet we
are going to ynp n big army. and yap
against the Japanese and yap against
an army OF 10000"
Called up Unexpectedly. the Kahn
resolution In the House provoked par.
tisan debate, In which Republicans
charged Secretary Baker has violated
the will Of Congress In running the
army strength above the figure for
which appropriations were made
There was little opposition to the re-
ductlon. however. when put TO q vote