Pensacola Journal, Pensacola, FL, January 12, 1921
America Must Have Strongest Unless All Disarm, Secretary Asserts
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11. The present time was described as ripe for a movement toward limitation of naval armaments by international agreement by Secretary Daniels of the navy, and Acting Secretary Davis of the state department. In testimony today before the house naval affairs committee.
Secretary Daniels declared that in his opinion the move might properly be made by President-elect Harding, who, he said, could call and hold an International disarmament conference within two months after his inauguration.
Mr. Harding, as president, the secretary pointed out. would have complete authorization to call such a conference under the provisions of the 1916 naval appropriation act.
Secretary Davis told the committee that President Wilson had not called such a conference because the president felt in view of the short time he would remain in office such action would embarrass the incoming administration. Mr. Wilson did not use the powers granted him in the 1916 act at the close of the world war, Mr, Davis added, because he thought the participation by the United States in the league of nations would bring about the desired result.
The committee was urge by Mr. Daniels to authorize continuance of work on the uncompleted portion of the 1916 three-year naval building program until an international agreement of some kind was reached. He asserted that if no such agreement could be obtained from the powers, the United States should build “the greatest navy In the world.”
Asked by Chairman Butler if Great Britain’s geographic situation did not entitle that nation to command of the seas, Mr. Daniels stated that he did not subscribe to this belief.
“The United States has the longest coast line,” said the naval secretary, and has Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Philippines to protect, as well as a moral obligation In South America under the Monroe Doctrine. “We are entitled to largest navy In the world If there is not international agreement.”
The pending Borah resolution, proposing a 50 per cent reduction in naval programs for the next five years on the part of the United States, Great Britain and Japan, was brought into the discussion by Representative Britten, republican, Illinois, and the naval secretary voiced his opposition to the Borah proposal on the grounds that it would leave this country second in naval strength and did not take into consideration armed land forces.
Chairman Butler asked Mr. Daniels to present to the committee tomorrow data showing the naval construction and projected programs of Japan and Great Britain.