Evening star., 1938-12-03
Arms Race Attacked
By Senator Borah;
Favors Defense
Declares People Will
Demand Voice in
Going to War
BY the Associated Press.

bS tHe ASSOcldteQ PfeSS.
Senator Borah, Republican,, OF
Idaho, predicted today that if the
United States joined the "hysteri-
cal' world ornaments race, popular
sentiment would force Congress to
approve constitutional amendment
giving the people the right to de-
clare any but defensive war.
"1f this huge armament trend con-
tinues, he said, "the people are
going to demand a voice in this
matter of going to war. Twelve
men today could plunge the world
into war without consulting a sim
gle citizen"
He did not identify the men.
From another member of Congress
came the assertion, meantime, that
greatly increased defensive arma-
ments were absolutely necessary.
Taylor Favors Defense.
Chairman Taylor of the House
Appropriations Committee said it
was apparent that confidence could
not be placed in treaties. Hs said
he would support any needed de-
tense measures, regardless of COST"
and thought air defenses especially
should be strengthened.
The Coloradoan indicated he be-
lieved there would be no trouble
getting passage of a defense bill.
Senator BOrah, dean of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee. said
that If an armament program which
he considered excessive" was pre-
sented to Congress. he probably
would support the Ludlow Amend
ment.
The proposed amendment. spon-
sored by Representative Ludlow
Democrat, of Indiana, was shelved
in the House during the last session
OF Congress after President Roose-
welt and Secretary of State Hull had
expressed opposition.
1t would make it necessary for
Congress to refer to vote of the
people the question of declaring war
except in the case of foreign in
vasion of this hemisphere
VIII Seek House Vote,
Representative Ludlow, who won
reelection in a campaign in which
he asked the voters to return him
to Office or defeat him on the
amendment issue alone, has an
nounced he will seek an immediate
House vote on his proposal.
Several Senators joined in in
trt ducing similar amendment, but
it was not considered by the Senate.
Senator Borah said he would not
oppose a reasonable" artnaments
program.
Il think there is some reason for
Increasing our air forces" he added,
but 1 don't believe that it is nee
essary for us to build up a huge
Navy beyond our needs for defense
purposes"
Another House minority member.
Representative Mas, Republican,
OF Minnesota. expressed the opinion
that a "shake-up" was needed in
the Navy.
Blaming the present Navy organ
lzation for many delays in warship
construction, Representative Mas
said he would introduce a bill to
establish general staff for the Navy
similar to the Army's. The Minne-
sotan Is the ranking Republican on
the House Naval Affairs Committee.
He proposed a Navy general staff
Ia ct cnccinr, hut &>l~
The Navy Department opposed his
bill.
Construction Delayed.
OffHial reports have disclosed that
construction on some warships has
been delayed several months. Navy
circles have heard that controver-
sizes between bureaus resulted in
some delays. 1Ne Engineering, Con-
struction and Repair Bureaus all
have an independent voice in ship
construction.
One point of controversy is under
stood to have been what type boilers
should go into the new battleships.
This was reported to have resulted
in the Navy General Boards in
dorsement this week of new high
pressure, -super-heat boilers, criti-
cized by some omcers as expert
mental and improved.
Secretary Swanson had referred
the controversy to the board after
reports Of a shakeup of inspection
and survey board officers reached
President Roosevel's attention.
The General Board. decided, in
formed persons said, that the new
type power plants were more eff
cient and economical than other de.
signs and gave the warships added
cruising range.