The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” TUESDAY, MARCH 8th, 1921. A NAVY POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” TUESDAY, MARCH Bth, 1921. A NAVY POLICY.

In pre-war days the Navy League and its branches all round the Empire played a useful part in stimulating public interest in naval defence. The British Navy was all the better prepared and quipped for war when it fell with great suddenness in August 1914, than it would otherwise have been but for the solicitous attentions of tho Navy League during peace times. The war came and passed, and now in peaceful waters again, the Navy League is no less alive than ever to the needs of the occasion. It has formulated a now naval policy—a policy of co-operation or agreement with America is urged. This is the ultimate end of the union of English-speaking people so often spoken of The Navy League lias reduced its policy to twelve cardinal points, and the following memorandum has been : drawn up by the Executive Committee of the Navy League (London), expressing the view of the league regarding .-■aval polity ‘or Die future: 1. For twenty years before the war tke Navy League continually impressed upon the public the necessity of maintaining a strong navy for the defence of the Empire, more especially as the German menace to civilisation became ap-1 parent. ' 2. With tho disappearance of the Ger- ' man fleet, the world’s naval position is I changed. 1 3. To-day civilisation is not threat- ' ened by any maritime power. 1

I I. 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 new channels, as it always has done.

5. The term “Command of the Seas” conveys to an ill-informed public simply the possession at any lime 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.

(!. The use of the terms • “defence” “security” and “adequate navy” necessitates comparison with other navies and must result in competition. 7. In tho spring of 1917 when the

danger from the ‘‘L” boats was at its highest there was given to the English and American seamen especially, an opportunity of bearing remarkable witness to the influence of that sea spirit of brotherhood which is their common birthright 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 lead in proposing a conference between all those powers whose geographical positions impose upon them the guardianship of the seas, and to decide in what way Ibis joint guardianship may may best be carried out.

9. There is no doubt that the spirit which makes for co-operation is to lie found in greater measure amongst seamen than aiming the members ot any other calling for their oldest traditionsari' built on it. For this reason it is held that the proposed conference should be largely composed of seamen who have held high commands at sea 10. Let it never he forgotten that peace must be paid for as well as war, but the l sacrifices involved are generally avoided by describing then 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 ever more rapidly to the 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 the world a still greater service, and for this reason it urges the invitation to the proposed conference should come from the two great Anglo-Saxon nations jointly.