The New York herald., 1922-04-17
NAVY TO MAINTAIN
1S CAPITAL SHIPS
This Will Enable Department
to Garry Out Agreement
on 5-5-3 Ratio.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HEaAID.
New York Herald Bureau.
| Washington. ID. c., April l6-
| Eighteen battleships instead OF nj
teen will be maintained by the United
States Navy, in fulfillment of the 6-5-S
ratio, as direct result OF the House
action in authorizing an enlisted
strength Of $1,000 men in opposition to
the proposal of the Appropriations Com
mittee for a reduction to $1,000.
While the Navy Department asked
Congress to authorize 5000 men, 1t IS
not doubted that q way will be found
to get along with the 5000. The Navy
Department officials were not unit
in asking for So 900. although that figure
was indorsed by Secretary DENLY. Some
OF the naval officers told the Congress
sional committees 1t would be possible
to get along with S6,o0O
At any rate, the Navy Department
was well satisfied to-day with the House
action, which came after one OF the
most spectacular and difficult Of the
annual fights over the size of the navy.
The whole energy OF the department
within the last week. since the Appro-
priations Committee submitted its re-
port. favoring $1,000 men. was directed
toward defeating the proposal. The
minority members of the Appropriations
Committee, headed by Representative
Tinlham (Mass.), handled the fight Tor
the $1,000 enlisted personnel. and 1t was
battle which seemed. at the start,
rather hopeless.
There was a remarkable sentiment,
particularly among members from the
South and middle West. that it was up
to Congress to show a specific saving in
navy appropriations. even to the sacrl-
flee OF the 5-5-3 ratio established at the
armament conference.
The letter from Secretary Hughes
read on the floor on Wednesday was a
heavy blow against the advocates Of an
enlisted strength of $4,000 men. !, The
'Iittle navy" forces attempted to dis
credit the declaration by Mr., Hughes
that such a small number Of mel, would
mean that the United States had broken
away from the treaty provisions. but
just the same it carried great weight
with many members.
President Hardfng's letter on Fri
day virtually paved the way for the
final victory of the large navy" advo-
Gates From the time 1t was received at
the Capitol by Representative Long
worth (Ohio) it was a foregone conclu-
sion that the $4,000 figure would be
adopted.
There is no doubt the Senate will APP
prove the House figure. And of course
President Harding. having written the
letter to Representative Longworth, will
sign the measure. which is the last Of
the appropriation bills for the fiscal
year beginning July / next.
WASHINGTON, April 16. - Chairman
Kelley OF the subcommittee on appro-
priations announced tonight that a rec
ord vote would be demanded In the
House this week on the amendment to
the naval bill adopted yesterday. in
creasing the enlisted strength from
g., 900 to $4,000.
Announcement Of the chairman's in
tention to put members on record was
made after conference with members
of the Appropriations Committee and
other supporters of the bill Telegrams.
1t was stated, will be sent to absentees
| reported in favor of the measure as
framed to return here at once.