FUTURE NAVAL POLICY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 134, 2 March 1921, Page 6

FUTURE NAVAL POLICY

IMPORTANT MEMORANDUM. The following is the memorandum drawn up by the Executive Committee of the Navy League (London), expressing the view of the league iegarding naval policy for the future: — 1. For 20 years before the: war the Navy League continually impressed upon the public the necessity of a strong Navy for the defence of the Empire, more especially as the German menace to civilisation Iwcame apparent. 2. With the disappearance of the German fleet, the world’s naval position is changed. 3. To-day civilisation is not threatened by any maritime power. 4. There is no alternative to competitive building of ships of war except an international naval agreement, and this applies to whatever type of ship is considered to dominate the sea position for the moment, for there is increasing certainty that new inventions will render obsolete, at shorter notice, all existing or contemplated ships. But this will simply divert competition into now channels, as it always has done. 5. The term "Command .if the Seas” conveys to an ill-informed public simply the possession, at any time, of the greatest number of ships; but the embracing of the doctrine by any country either invites competition by, or demands acquiescence from, other countries, since the High Seas are neutral in times of peace. 6. Tho use of the terms "defence,” "security,” and "adequate Navy,” necessitates comparison with other navies, and must result in. competition.

7. In the spring of 1917, when the danger from the "U” boats was at its highest, there was given to the English, and American seamen especially, an opportunity of bea.ri.ng remarkable witness to tho influence of that sea spirit of brothernood which is their common birtfhrigltf: and heritage; this was undoubtedly one of the most significant lessons of the war.

8. The Navy League holds that the time is now specially favourable for taking advantage of this lesson, and that it is for these two nations to give the lend in proposing a conference, between all those powers whoso geographical positions impose upon them the guardianship of the seas, and to decide in what way this joint guardianship may best be carried out.

9. There is no doubt that the spirit which makes for co-operation is to be found in greater measure imongst seamen than among the members of any other calling, for their oldest traditions are built on it. For this reason it is held that the proposed conference should be largely composed of seamen who have held higfh commands at sea. 10. Lot it never be forg'itten that peace must be paid for ns well as war, but the sacrifices involved are generally avoided by describing them as "visionary,” or "idealism,” and beyond the range of those practical politics which have brought the world to its. present position. 11. It would seem, however/ that science, as applied to destructive agencies, is forcing us over more rapidly to tflie conclusion that the highest idealism of all is the only practical alternative to world suicide.

12. The Navy League holds that the sea story in the past of Britain and the United States imposes on them mutually the duty of attempting to render to tho world a'still greater service, and for this reason it urges that the invitation to the proposed 1 conference should come from the two great Anglo-Saxon nations jointly.