THE AMERICAN NAVY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 229, 22 March 1928, Page 4

THE AMERICAN NAVY.

An article by Mr. J. Bernard Walker wnich appears in the December number of the Scientific American indicates the range of intensity of the Big Navy propaganda in America. Mr. Walker points out that as the result ,of the war and the Washington Conference the American Navy was raised “ from the third to the front- rank.’’ Unfortunately, as Mr. Walker goes on to explain, there is a group of “ older naval officers mainly retired,” and of “younger officers of strong- racial and religious prejudices,” who bitterly assail the

Washington Agreement and declare that tne interests of the American Navy were “ sacrificed ” to Britain. Britain, it is said, “ contrived to prevent us from becoming the leading Navy in the world.” Mr. Walker adds that he holds no brief for the British Navy, but does hold a brief for incontrovertible truth.. The propaganda against other navies, and notably against Japan and Britain, he says has been “ utterly untruthful,” and tends “ most dangerously to break down the fine spirit of understanding and co-operation which had grown up.” The Geneva failure is attributed definitely by him to propagandists who began their “ malicious work ” some weeks before the Conference opened and continued to carry it on to Geneva “ during the actual sessions.” Such statements for and against the new American naval policy are evidently the first shots in a struggle of cardinal political importance. The struggle may change its character entirely; the stronger may become the weaker. The levies of public opinion has yet to be brought up. Misunderstandings, like that monstrous one that Britain wants to challenge America, have yet to be removed. It must not be forgotten that the present American temper is not related to a panic of defence like that which affects France. America is amazingly rich and when she does anything she tries to do it handsomely. “If we have a Navy why not have the best?” This feeling at least accounts for the parallel movement towards reconstituting the profitless mercantile marine. It is almost a case of “ A protecting Navy implies ships to be protected.” i —London Spectator.