New-York tribune., 1922-01-25
Harding Blocks
''Drastic'' Arnv
And Navy Cuts
(Contnued from page one,
seven battleships. besides the two men
toned.
Wadsworth Favors 100000

Chairman Wadsworth Of the Senate
Military Affairs Committee is of the
opinion that the flood tide of reducing
TIE army, which started when Secretary
of War Baker, in the closing days Of
the Wi son Admin istration, asked for
an army of $4,000 men, which sue
ceeded in cutting the authorized army
last session to 10000 men and in
making appropriations which have re-
suited IN the army being actually now
about 100000 men, has turned. Sena-
tor Wadsworth believes that very
small reduction from the present army
sona'y viii lead fight to retain al
least 10000 men, and he believes the
army should be larger than that figure,
but increases in military appropria-
tions are not being made this year.
On the naval side fight Will be
made to save some millions of dollars
ny changing the present system Of
paying men in the reserve. They now
receive half pay if they retire after
sixteen years service, and although
they may remain in civilian occupa-
tions, this gradually works up to three
quarters pay.
A whole new pay system may be
worked out, especially as on June 80
next the pay of both officers and men
IN the navy and OF officers but not men
II the army goes back automatically
to the pay Of 1908. In the case of en-
listed men in the navy, this would bring
the pay to approximately half what it
Is at present.
Secretary of the Navy DENLY will asl
for appropriations to begin construc-
ton Of two airplane carriers this year.
IN lleu Of the large amount of cou.
struction which will be suspended
under the arms conference lin tations.
President Hardings view as to the
necessity OF maintaining military and
naval force sufficient for "safety" has
considerable support in Congress, &C.
cording to members of the Mil tary and
Nava! committees. They believe senti-
ment has SO changed in both houses
that the drastic proposals Of such Sem
ators as King, of Utah, on the Demo
cratic side. and Borah, of Idaho, on the
Republican, will not find sufficient sup
port to be embarrassing to the Admin
.stration.
The President takes the view that.
while every one hopes the army will
not be used save for police force, the
world is in state of unrest, and it
would be very unwise to reduce it far
oS4oW eteH luz minimum demands Tor
skeleton organization.
Huge Soviet Army Cited
Mr.. Harding is known to be much
concerned about some of the large mil
itary establishments in Europe, notably
that Of Russia. VIII ch, it was said at
the White House to-day, is maintaining
an army of from 500 900 to 100000 ef-
fectives. Some reports have put the
actual army Of Soviet Russia as in ex-
cess OF 100000 men. This, in the
opinion Of the President, 8 very poor
manifestation of the best form of de-.
moe acy.
While believing that the armament
limitation conference viii tend to the
iiminution of m lilary forces throur
out the world the President does not
.hink the United States should 20 any
'urther IN dIsarming at this time. Mr..
Harding believes this country already.
n cutt ng its army to 10000 men, has
ct an example which, should Europe
mulate it. would lead 70 q transforms. /
ion of the world.