The New York herald., 1922-12-15
HARDING WON'T CALL
NAVAL COUNCIL NOW
Holds Time Is Not Ripe to Act
Until the Present Treaty
Is Ratified.
speciol Dispatch 10 THU NEW Yonk HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
slinaiai. Ii Dec Ia [

Special Dispatch 10 THH NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. G., Dec Ia.
President Harding and Secretary
Hughes favor the proposal in the
House naval appropriation bin that
the naval powers take steps to
limit auxiliary tonnage as capital
ships were limited under the Five
Power Naval Treaty. but they do not
believe the time isNipe for another con-
ference. This also is the view OF SEN
ate leaders. II became apparent to-day
that President Harding VIII not act on
1t In the immediate future, even IL the
proposal Is successful in running the
gauntlet of the Senate aDd House. He
feels that until the naval treaty is ratl-
fed 1t would merely add Il new compii-
cation TO the international situation Tor
this Government to propose another con-
ference. 1t was recalled that when
France threatened to break up the arms
conference and Secretary Hughes sent
his seni-ultimatum to Premier BRAND
the latter made acceptance of the naval
ratio for capital ships contingent on
France having a free hand in auxiliary
construction. The French position has
not changed. and so long as this Is the
case the status quo will maintain.
apprehension of some elements in the
House relative to competition in auxil-
airy vessels. The program of Japan does
not intimate an overwhelming auxiliary
program The same holds good of Great
Britain, and If France desired to launch
a gigantic construction program outside
the ban OF the naval treaty she is not
In "a position to because of finances. The
same applies to Italy
"'the United States did everything
possible at the Arms conference last
year. said Senator Lodge, "to extend
the scope OF disarmament to include
submarines. auxiliary craft and aviation.
Great Britain. Italy and Japan lent a
willing ear, but France refused point
blank to assent. What we could not do
| twelve months ago we cannot do now,
since conditions In France are more ag-
! gravated than then"
| While he may support the proposal
FOR another conference To deal with
smaller craft Senator Borah says such
plan will not prove effective. we
will do WELL" he added, "if we get the
| treaties adopted last year ratified"
The proposal met with warm response
when the naval bill was taken up IN
the House this afternoon. Representa-
/ tive Kelley (Michigan), In charge of the
/ bill emphasized the Importance or such
an agreement II the United States is
not to be required to embark in gi-
gantic building program of cruisers,
! submarines and large destroyers.
"The limitation agreement OF year
| ago provides a net saving 10 the coun-
try Of s12s,000 600" Mr.. Kelley said.
! Now the Navy Department believes II
necessary to embark on a building pro-
| gram which will cost 1891 900, 900 as
| thfo saxiug"
| 'In other words. the naval treaty has
brought no results so far?'' asked Rep
resentative London (New York;.
| mo" replied Mr.. Kelley.
! I'VE have accomplished just this.
said Representative Butler (Pennsyl-
vania). chairman of the House Naval
| Affairs Committee; I'VE have traded the
sixteen inch gun for two eight inch
| guns"
Yes" said Representative ,Britten
| CIllinois) ''and we have lost the oppor-
| tunity TO become the first naval power
on earth We probably will be second
or third"
specidl Cable to TIE NEW NoRK HEnatp.
| Copp,foht, 1924. by THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
! Paris. Dec. IA. 7