Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-08
READY FOR FIGHT
Continued from Page One)

be issued until the treaty is ratified,
it was said.
Secretary Weeks. in furtherance of
the presidents order regarding the
ships, cancelled the orders for send
ing new guns to replace those in the
Notifications there. Secretary DENLY
also announced that some military
equipment. including mines destined
for Guam. had been ordered returned.
Discussing his action, Secretary
Weeks said the orders had been can
cclled as an evidence of the good
faith of this country to carry out III
spirit and letter the provisions of the
naval treaty respecting the fortfica-
tions of Pacific islands.
Some discussion of the necessary
strength of the armed forces of the
country also developed today. At TN :
White House it was said that Presi-
dent Harding believed some reduc-
lions in the personnel of the army and
the navy would result from the arms
conference agreements, but that they
would be of reasonable relatively"
The navy. in his opinion. it was said,
should not go below 500 men as
the minimum for safety.
The president intends to send to
the Senate for the end of this week
all the treaties growing out of the
conference. but this was said at the
White House to depend on whether the
report of the American delegates was
received by the president by that time
Senator Lodge. who called on the pres
dent during the day. said later that IL
hoped the report would be prcsen g
On Friday.
The president. it was said. would
ask "speediest possible ratification
consistent with the discussion re-
quired by the Senate on matters Of
such Importance to the nations The
president has not decided whether h4
will present them in person or BY
letter. it was said.
He was represented also as feeling
that there vas no need for reserva-
tons being attached to any of the trca-
tics.
While Republican and Democratic
leaders were preparing for considera-
ton of the treaties by the Senate,
Senator Borah, Republican. Idaho. III
formal statement called for immc-
date translation of the work of the
conference into a reduction of govern
mental expenditures. He urged a fur
ther cut in the army and demanded
that the American troops be returned
from the Rhine at once.
In furtherance of plans decided up-
on today by republican and democrat
ic leaders in the senate. for informal
consideration of the arms conference
treaties before they are taken up on
the floor of the senate. meetings to
talk over the work of the conference
are expected to be held by senators
early next week. Senator Lodge, re-
Massachusetts. and Senator
Underwood, democrat, Alabama, lead
ers OF their parties. have been inform
ca by their colleagues that there is
an almost unanimous desire in the
senate for these meetings in order
that free and full discussions NAV
be had. Democratic senator's, it was
said. desire to determine the extent
to which Senator Underwood his gone
IN supporting the treaties during the
arms conference.
There Is apparent no purpose Of the
party leaders to urge caucus action
or to attempt to bind senators to any
position, but it was said today by
some senator's that the American DEL
egates prefer not to be embarrassed
by what one described as the slip