The Washington herald., 1922-12-22
SENATE OPENS
NAVY MEASURE.
DEBATE TODAY
President Would Be Authorized
to Call World Conference on
the Limitation of Sea Craft
BoRAH ADDS AMENDMENT
Proposes Meeting of Nations
to Study Economic Problem
and Question of Armament
By Universal Service.

ny universal service.
The Naval appropriation bill,
carrying a total of 1926, ,604,3 ,3T8
for support of the Navy during
the fiscal year 1924. and includ-
ing the provision asking the
President to call another interna-
tional conference on limitation Of
submarines, aircraft and vessels
under 10000 registry, was report
ed yesterday to the Senate by
Senator Poindexter, acting chair
man of the naval committee. Dis
cussion Of the measure is en-
pected to open in the Senate to-
day.
ECONOMIC CONFERENCES.
The proposal for q conference on
naval construction was broadened
by Senator Borah. who introduced
an amendment for an economic con.
ference supplementary to the pro-
posed conference. The Borah
amendment authorizes the President
to invite such governments as he
may deem necessary or expedient
to send delgates to study the eco
nomic problems in the world, with
q view of arriving at such under
standings or arrangements as may
seem essential TO the restoration Of
trade and to the establishment Of
sound financial and business con-
ditions. and also to consider the
subject of further limitation Of
ornaments both by land and by sea.
and particularly relative to limiting
the construction of all types of
submarines and surface craft Of
10000 tons standard displacement.
and of aircraft"
The holding OF such a confer
ence as Senator Borah proposed
would transfer settlement of repa-
rations and other questions In Eu-
rope from the League OF Nations.
which is empowered under the Yer
sailles treaty to adjust them. to a
conference called by the President
Of the United States and assembling,
probably. in Washington. Borah's
plan for a conference. therefore.
goes far beyond that proposed in
the House bill. which was to deal
with questions of armament only.
CAUSES DISCUSSION.
The Borah amendment caused
wide discussion. especially among
Senators who stood with him in
opposition to the League OF Ma
tions. He was asked IL his pro-
posal would not have the effect OF
opening the door to American en-
trance into the league. and he re-
piled that such was not his pur-
pose. He stated. however. that the
league is not functioning for the
settlement of the reparatiOns ques-
ton and that as something had to
he done. the United States. in his
opinion. should take the lead in
doing il.
Senator Borah issued a state
ment relative to his amendment,
In which he declared. we are trav-
cling in vicious circle" He
called attention to the condition of
producers, the failure of farmers
to find markets and the impossi-
bility Of realizing anything on
what he produces. The Senator
quoted the House Naval Affairs
Committee to the effect that un-
less the agreements reached in the
arms conference are exended there
will be another competitive race in
naval armament, which will be de-
structive of all hope of economic
recovery. The statement added:
FEARS NAVAL RACE.
No business man or anyone
else who has reflected upon the
situation dares to look over the
next year II he next year Is to
be similar to the year which is
passing. II seems to me that there
ought to be a heroic effort made.
not only to stop this threatened
naval race. but also to deal with
economic conditions. The question
of reparations is the key to the
European situation. II that can
not be adjusted, nothing can be
adjusted. 1t may be possible in
conference Of this kind to
break the deadlock on that sub
ject. II there is a better pro-
gram anywhere around, I should
be glad to waive this suggestion.
The naval bill appropriates
1871. $40 more than was carried
In the House bill. 1t Is greater
by $3.50. .9O4.75 than the 1923 bill
and $500. .403 in excess of the esti-
mates made by the Navy Depart
ment to the Budget Bureau.
The Senate committee made a
cut Of s903,000 in the amount the
Secretary of the Navy is permitted
to spend for the prosecution Of
work on vessels under construction.
The House bill appropriates s20.-
900 900 for the purpose. and the
Senate committee reduced 1t to