The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1927. IS IT PEACE ?

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1927. IS IT PEACE ?

Tub United States, dissatisfied with the outcome of the late Naval Conference with Britain and Japan, is .suggesting a billion dollar naval programme. That sounds fine and large, as is typical of things in America, but dues it mean peace? It would appear that America is disposed rather to beat the big drum, and that there is more noise than intention very often in what is proposed. When two members of the British Labour Party in Parliament visited New York lately and addressed the British Chamber of Commerce, one of them asked the pertinent question: “Ts there any business man here who will controvert this proposition, that it is to the vistnl interests of the English speaking peoples of the world to maintain the most cordial relations?” That appears to be the crux of the position notably between Great Britain and the Tinted States. Each lias its own obligations overseas, and may plan its na\al icqui re incuts as it deems necessary, hut each is not likely for one moment to

plan one against the other. Until have their domestic problems and their interest in world politics, and though the United States cherishes the Monroe doctrine as something sacred in its international welfare, still circumstances may arise to qualify its attitude in that respect as occurred in the period of the Great War. The United States needs an impressive Navy to play its part in weilding “the hip; stick.” as Mr ltooscvelt placed on record, and its finances permit to to go to extreme length in organising a great Navy. Still, where is the use of such an overwhelming force, if there lie nought of sufficient

magnitude to overwhelm? The occasion Tor a. hig Navy is rather discounted when there is not the job for it to do. Groat as the finances of the country may he, it will he easy to overdo prudence, hy building up a great force which, to continue effective, needs an enormous annual expenditure to support the engine of war. Probably other nations will view the attempt of the United States to outstrip the world in naval force n the knowledge that it will prove an expensive toy, and in the process of upkeep virtually “eat off its head.” There is not any apparent enemy in .sight for a hig navy to serve any material purpose. The ordinary strength of the United States navy would serve its purpose in policing its shores and maritime possessions. We doubt if a great American navy would in the circumstances lie at all provocative to any nation sufficient to create an international race in armaments. Britain is not likely to over-reach her resources in an attempt to outstrip America. Her needs will lie provided for and no more—for stringency in finance will cheek unnecessary extravagance. Japan is equally cramped with finance, and her resources being limited to the point of curtailment, the attempt of the United States to create a big Navy appears to lie quite an un-

necessary extravagance. The efficiency of her existing ships of war is quite another matter. Tt is suggested there is room for much improvement in that respect. That phase touches on Amp. ridan adminstration. which all too often for the national well being appears to he so very loose. Possibly the naval programme disturbing Congress at present, is something to cloud the issue affecting efficient administration, and that it is merely a phase of American polities with a presidential election looming ahead. The '/act that the outside world is not seriously disturbed or worked up about the 'effort, suggests that nothing very warlike is antiepnted as the outcome of the present naval aggrandisement scheme put before Congress.