The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET AUCKLAND MONDAY, APRIL 14. 1930 SCRAPPING OLD BATTLESHIPS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 947, 14 April 1930, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET AUCKLAND MONDAY, APRIL 14. 1930 SCRAPPING OLD BATTLESHIPS

TOO much to begin with was expected from the Naval Conference in London, and because of that high-pitched anticipation the actual results will be disappointing'. These, in the form of practical disarmament, promise to be comparatively meagre. If the New Zealand Navy were called upon to limit its equipment in the same proportion, it probably would require only to scrap its expensive floating target. But it is something to the good that the conference, after nearly three months’ discussion by the representatives and experts of five Powers, will close with a record of some achievement, and not in a state of ignominious collaiii.se. Three Powers —the British Empire, the United States of America and Japan—have agreed to limit naval construction for six years and also to effect a substantial saving of expenditure on all classes of ships. This week or next at the latest they will sign a treaty or an agreement embodying the principles and methods by which limitation of naval armaments may be put into welcome practice by the signatory nations. France and Italy, wallowing in jealousy and the traditional fear of war, will stand out in the meantime, content with freedom to maintain their present defences in the sea or to go ahead with a larger programme of construction. Of course, it is to be regretted that a five-Power pact has not been attainable, but the lack of it should not be taken as a reason for condemning the conference as a failure. Indeed, it deserves praise for having accomplished so much in extremely difficult circumstances. From the beginning its work was hampered by the world demand for spectacular decisions. And leading statesmen on both sides of the Atlantic were inclined at the outset to be too theatrical about it. The preliminary heart-to-lieart talks between President Hoover and the Rt. Hon. J. Ramsay MacDonald in an American holiday haunt set the stage for a wonderful drama of disarmament. The taxpayers in the overburdened countries concerned were encouraged to dream of great relief and, as one observer noticed, “even admirals were ranging themselves coyly on the side of the angels.” The spotlight of the international Press was turned on the conference with almost a blinding glare, and it showed statesmen, diplomats, and a host of experts rushing to London by airplanes, in swift steamers and on special trains,’ all apparently eager to scuttle all the navies on every ocean, and create a new heaven and a new earth in perfect peace. Close on three hundred journalists hastened to St. James’s Palace to describe the disarmament drama, but when it opened in dullness and difficulty they lost their enthusiastic interest in it and began hinting at comedy or a pretentious farce. Those who did not forget that human nature takes a long time to change for the better, kept their anticipation on a leash and were satisfied to look forward only to a reasonable curtailment of naval preparation for war. So, all things considered, the agreement reached, but not yet finalised by the three major Powers, really constitutes an appreciable achievement. Naturally, the representatives responsible for the limited decision are making the most of it, and perhaps, in a pardonable attempt to save the prestige of the conference and their own faces, are exaggerating the value of the projected results. Mr. Hoover, for example, is content and even happy with the curtailment of big cruiser programmes, and commends the naval delegates for “their courageous actions and their most constructive accomplishment.” Whether or no the Senate of the United States and the vested interests behind the aggressive Senators and other Americans who want complete parity with Great Britain will ratify the forthcoming threePower pact is a question that must be left in doubt for subsequent consideration. Then the British First Lord of the Admiralty is satisfied with the work of the Naval Conference. It lias been pointed out by Mr. A. V. Alexander that the British Empire, the United States and Japan have agreed to a reduction in auxiliary tonnages to a considerable extent, aggregating over half a million tons. Moreover, the numbers of their capital ships will be reduced without delay to the minimum figures provided by the Washington Treaty nine years ago, instead of waiting until 1936. This involves the scrapping of nine battleships, Great Britain, as usual, to make the largest sacrifice. Altogether, the saving in sight will amount to any sum between sixty and seventy million pounds. It had been hoped to secure economy equal to at least twice that aggregate, but taxridden nations will have to be content with the lesser measure of relief. In the meantime, unfortunately, all the world is not yet ready for spectacular naval disarmament. CLASSIC BOAT RACE THOUGH othel - important races may be promoted, the OxfordCambridge boat-race retains its classic position as the world’s greatest aquatic struggle. Since the members of the striving crews represent a comparatively limited section of the people, * it seems at first sight difficult to account for the tremendous grip this historic race has upon the interests of the British public. Not only in England, but in every country where English is spoken, the boat-race is one of the greatest sporting events of the year, placed without question on the same level as the Grand National and the Derby, and even wider in its appeal than a contest between England and Australia for the cricket “ashes.” Whereas cricket is almost exclusively a British game, rowing is known the world over. Though its progress has been attended by many refinements since the days when the ancient Britons wove their coracles, until now the slim, delicate egg-shell that is a racing craft is largely a product of the most abstruse mathematical calculation, the essential factor of sheer physical power remains the dominating consideration in any race. Of recent years the most interesting feature of the University races lias been the unbroken success enjoyed by Cambridge. Again this year the Light Blues have added to their run of victories. Oxford made a gallant effort, but finished the more distressed of the two crews, though probably, as so often happens in rowing, the victors, when the race was over, were buoyed up more by the sweetness of success than by their reserves of physical strength. Having won eleven of the last twelve races, Cambridge has established a record in consistency for the race. It remains for analysts of the results to account for this success. On the surface of things, the chances should be evenly divided. Both universities attract young men in the prime of their athletic careers. Oxford has the additional advantage of having Rhodes Scholars, often chosen for their physical attainments, though it must be added that many of these are excluded front selection by their age. There lias been a suspicion that at Oxford since the war the cult of affectation in dress, manners and the arts has been pursued too far at the expense of athletic distinction. But a more probable explanation of the successive defeats is the indefinable but nevertheless very real influence called an “inferiority complex.” Next year perhaps, or tlie year after, Oxford may produce a super-stroke who, backed by a good crew, will introduce another cycle in the history of “the finest amateur event in the world.”