New-York tribune., 1921-05-04
HardiagAgainst
Call to Disar1n
In Naval Bill
Does Not Want Hands Tied
by Congress in Foreign
Problems, He Tells Cabi-
net and Senate Leaders
Heads Off Amendments
House Expected to Balk at
Increase if Program Is
Passed by the Upper Body
ON The Tribune.s wcslsinoton Burec

From The Tribunals Wcshinaton bureau
WASHINGTON, May g.. President
Harding told members of his Cabinet
and Senators Hale and Poindexter. who
called on him to-day, that he was OPP
posed to any attempt to attach a dis
armament resolution to the naval APP
preparation bill. The Senate Naval AZ
fairs Committee, of which Senator Poin-
a~xter is acting chairman, to-day began
hearings on the measure. As in the
last session. the appropriation will be
increased S100.oo0.0o0 over the House
provision, to make sne bill carry ap-
proximately $50O,0O0,000.
The President told his visitors that
in matters Of general policy. where ne
gotiations with foreign powers are in
volved. he does not want his hands tied
by Congress. At the Cabinet session
when the naval bill was discussed the
President expressed his stand emphati-
cally, saying that although ne was
favorably disposed toward the subject
of disarmament, the present was not
an auspicious time to initiate action
and he did not want to be directed to
negotiate for disarmament before the
situation adjusted itself
Expected to Halt Amendment
The Presidents stand probably will
result in heading off the adoption of
any amendment to the bill or any
separate resolution calling on the Ex-
ecutive to initiate disarmament or
leading to naval reduction policy by
agreement among the leading powers.
Senator Borah, however, will not drop
his fight for disarmament. He has q
resolution pending looking to a reduc-
ton Of naval estimates on the part of
the United States, Great Britain and
Japan. He will press this as an amend
ment when the naval bill is considered
on the floor. Mr.. Borah is hopeful of
forcing adoption of his plan.
All indications are that the contro-
versy of the last session over reduced
naval outlay and reduction of forces,
as we'll as over the question of whether
it is not better to develop three
plane, rather than a one-plane navy,
will be fought again and perhaps with
increased intensity. The Naval Affairs
Committee intends to bring out the
bill in substantially the same form as
it was reported last session. 1t plans
to carry out the 1916 building program
and is opposed to dropping or holding
back part of the battleships in order
to hasten the development of the air
fleet and Che submarine fotilla. Sena-
tor Borah, as he did before, will lead
the fight in behalf Of the three-plane
navy and for using some of the money
now SLOWED for battleships for air
craft and submarines.
The Senate committee will amend the
House bill by including provisions for
two airplane carriers, more money for
airplane construction, money for avia-
tion fields, an allowance for the pro-
posed Alameda station and other items.
This is what it did at the last session.
House Stands by Own Figures
The Senate committees course in
sures hard struggle in the Senate and,
if the committee bill passes, sharp
controversy between Senate and House
in conference. The House, or at least
many members thereof, will balk on
increasing the bill over the House fig
ures. A serious deadlock may result.
To-day the committee, behind closed
doors, heard naval officers on matters
largely routine and technical. Admiral
Robert E. Coontz, chief Of operations;
Rear Admiral David w. Taylor, CHIEF