New-York tribune., 1922-12-15
Engaged for Months in
Effort to Halt Race
on Light War Craft
Building, House Hears
Calling of Farley
HeIdUnlikely Now
Hughes Doesn't Believe
Agreement Is Possible
and Lodge Is Skcptical

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Prcsidcnt
Harding, according 20 statement
made IN the House to-day. "has been
engaged for several months with the
question Of negotiating with the big
powers relative TO limiting the con-
struction Of warships under 10000 tons,
which he Is requested TO do under a
provision Of the naval supply bill.
This information as TO the reported
attitude Of the President was given by
Representative Linebcrger, Republican,
Of California. during a brief furry Of
debate while Chairman Kelley Of the
subcommittee In charge OF the meas
ure, was seeking 70 explain tho reasons
FOR the request. Il was, admittedly, a
surprise to the committee, which had
not consulted the President prior TO
presentation OF the bill.
Takes Chairman by Surprise
Mr.. Kelley had just declared that
while the arms conference had afforded
net saving OF $i2s, 900 900, the gen.
eral staff Of the navy had recommended
a projected program, under the 10000
ton Limitation. entailing the eXpendi-
turc Of 1891 100000, when Mr.. Line
berger interrupted.
"1he gentleman is requesting the
President Of the United States TO do
something which We and every one
knows that he has been engaged IN
doing for several months past said
Mr. Llncbergcr. Would II not be
much better yerbiage TO approve that
which he Is now doing rather than to
request him 10 do something that ne
has been doing for monthsl'
The only other reference 20 the
President was made by Representative
Byrnes, OF South Carolina, ranking
Democrat Of the subcommittee, who
said he did not know what Mr.. Line
berger had told the House-that the
President Is nov At work upon some
plan for tho calling OF another con-
ference for tho limitation Of erma-
ment'
Assumes Information Is Direct
81 assume that tho gentleman has
the information from The President"
Mr. Byrnes added, "and am delighted
70 know that this Is true."
Many questions were directed at Mr.
Kelley as 20 what the other nations
had done IN the matter Of naval re-
duction.
~ do not think any nation has un-
dertaken 10 destroy any OF its ships
although Great Britain possibly has
serapped some OF It's old ships, which
she had already begun TO scrap before
the conference" he said.
"fn other words. there have been no
results thus fart" asked Representa-,
tive London, Socialist, New York. and
Mr. Kelley answered mo-
Chairman Butler Of the naval com
mittee broke into the discussion.
eve have accomplished just this by
this.p he said. I'VE have traded the
sixtccn-inch gun for two elght-ine,h
guns and Representative Brltten' IL.
iinois, ranking Republican Of the naval
committee, declared: "Wc have lost
the opportunity TO become the hrst
naval power and We shall probably De
the second or third"
The proposal that the President eall
the five chief naval powers together
with a view 20 reaching an agreement
on the question Of limiting naval
strength Of minor war vessels failed TO
arouse much enthusiasm in the SEN
ate. Senator Lodge, member OF the
United States delegation 1T the Wash.
ington Conference on the Limitation OF
Armament, indicated that he would oP-
pose the idea In speech TO be made
soon.
While Secretary Of State Hughes de-
clined 70 discuss the proposal pending
its passage by the House, Il Is known
that he entertains the grayest d0uDts
tLat any Agreement on smaller craft
can be obtained. In this connection
reference was made to-day 10 Mr..
Hughes's proposal 10 France to limit
her smaller craft proportionately 70
the capital ship ratio OF b'o-5' ana the
prompt reply Of former premier
BRAND. head Of the French delegation
against any such limitation.
French Opposition Unchanged
Il was pointed out that this declina-
tion was based on the desire OF the
French Chamber Of Deputies 10 main
tain adequate naval force 70 protect
The coasts and the colonies under
French Jurisdiction, and II was declared
that nothing had developed since the
conference that would change Frances
position.
Administration leaders also desire
20 have the main naval treaty OF the
Washington conference ratified and
made effective before the negotiation
OF additional treaties Is attempted.
Once the governments OF France AMI
rtaiv approved the capital ship treaty,