Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-18
HOUSE and SENATE
A unit ON ARMY
STRENGTH $4,000
Recommendations for Lar
ger Force Urged by Army Heads
Resolutions Passed in Each House
Nearly Alike--Favorable Joint Con-
ference Soon--Measure Then Up To
President

Washington, Jan. 11-Congress vot-
ed today to limit the size of the reg
ular army to 175,0O0 enlisted men.
The Senate by q vote of Il to 33 set
aside it's decision Of last week to re-
duce the army to $780, 900 men and then
without a record vote adopted the
original joint resolution ~of Senator
New, Republican, Indiana. directing
the Secretary of War to stop recruit
ing until the army is cut to $4,000
men.
The House ten minutes later, adopt
ed a joint resolution sponsored by
Chairman Kahn of it's military af-
fairs committee also directing the Sec
rotary of war to cease enlistments un-
til there are not more than $4,000 men
in the regular establishment. The
House vote was 2S5 to 4, only Repre-
sentatives Bee, Texas; Blackmon, AL
ALBANIA; and Coady, Maryland, Demo-
Gratis, and Cramton, Michigan, Repub-
lican, standing out against the reduc-
ton.
The resolution adopted by the two
houses are almost identical in their
provisions, each providing that the
$4,000 limit shall not prevent the re-
establishment men who have served
one or more enlistments in the militia
ry service. The language of the two
measures, however, differs somewhat
and either the Senate or the House
will send it's resolution to conference
for Encouragement. Action by the
joint conference committee of the two
houses is expected to betaken speed
lily and the resultant measure sent
to the president.
The atcion of the two houses was
taken against the recommendations
of War department heads and Gen
eral Pershing. Secretary Baker in ap-
pearing before the Senate military
committee advised against an army of
less than 250,0O0 men after the pres
ent necessity of economy had been re-
/ lieved." General Pershing told the
same committee that an army of
200, 900 men constituted a safety mar
gin.
The vote in the Senate showed
that several senators who last week
went on record as favoring an army
Of 10000 had changed about, placing
their support behind the $4,000 fig
ure No reason for the change was
announced, but some senator's said
privately that they believed Presi-
dent Wilson would sign a resolution
placing the future army at IT'S,
men but would not approve a smaller
number
There was no party division in the
Senate on the question and the final
votes were taken after an all-day bat
Tie over the question of army size.
This debate was enlivened by clash
between Senator .Phelan, Democrat.
California. and Williams, Democrat,
Mississippi. over the question of jap
anese aggression. Senator Phelan urg-
ed stronger garrisoning 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 a suggestion by Senator
Phelan that disposition of the island
Of zap. with it's cable communica-
| tions, was delicate problem remain
ing for adjustment. Senator Williams
| declared that 1t was not a question
which would involve America in war.
| Called up unexpectedly. the Kahn
resolution in the House provoked con-
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