UNITED STATES NAVY

Southland Times, Issue 19229, 20 May 1921, Page 5

UNITED STATES NAVY

PROPOSED UNION OF FLEETS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON May 18. It is understood that the Administration is considering a suggestion of the Navy Department to merge the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. No decision has been reached as to which ocean the fleet would be kept in if the plan is adopted, but naval leaders believe that the Pacific is preferable. It is denied that this would be evidence of unfriendliness towards Japan. Progressive Republican senators followed up their victory on the disarmament amendment to the Navy Bill with a successful attack on the increased appropriations. The Senate refused by a vote of 31 to 39 to approve of the 1,000,000 dollars appropriation for recruiting recommended by the Naval Committee. According to a Chicago message, the Rev. C. H. McFarland, general secretary of the Congress on Reduction of Armaments, which is meeting there, appealed to American clergy to do all in their power to crush any and every sentiment against England. He declared that England was conservative to a superlative degree and was the great balance wheel of government.