New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-07
SEA POWER DOMINANT.
LONDON VIEW on FLEET.
Nore Not Thought Prorocafioc, but
Eleucr StrategY.
Fsrse.a' r. French Gable to The Tribun.
I .-nI.vricl., -aa1. h. The -rrir,,.... .. ,-.

London. Ju'y 6-sea power is the supreme
question in International relations The rein
forcement o. the American fleet II tho Pacific
is discussed hy the leader writer's bera as =
strategic manTuvre rather than a provocati,o
act Ambassador Reid gave them the right
cue in a weighty passage in his speech at the
American banquet when with excentiora, orr
res'ness he emphasized the peaceable tendencies
Of Washington diplomacy and minimized the
risks Of any con1ict between the United States
and Japan over the petty racial episodes at San
Francisco or the larger question whether The
Oriental nations can force an entrance for their
surplus population upon the Western nations
he Morning Post follows il in well consid-
cred comments on the new American naval pol
tcy and other journals avoid with equal sanity
the alalmlst view. In the transfer Of hattIeships
from The Atlantic To the Pacific the main mo-
tive IS recognized as strategic. as one ocean
has become more important than the other 10
America since the wars Of Spain and Russia
and naval forces must be n'assed where they
are needed. Serious complications between
America and Japan are not considered probable
in the near future by any press commentator
on The news. The strategy is described as
clever. since it will inpart fresh impulse 70
the construction of the Panama Canal. urge the
equipment Of another feet for the Atlantic and
concentrate public attention upon the issue
whether foreign relations can be conducted by
separate state rather than by the federal gov
ernment The race question concerns the Brit
ish Empire deeply America. It is the issue
between the East and the West. which the states
manship Of the world powers will work out IN
due time.
TIE E4SSING OF FLEETS
Another tribute 70 the paramount importance
Of sea power is a sensational article in The
Spectator well edited journal not addicted 10
newspaper panics. declaring that there would
be situation Of grave peril II England were to
receive a declaration of war from Germany or
any naval power Of equal strength. There can
be no urgency for the discussion Of technical
questions Of naval policy when the German
Emperor is coming to England on friendly
visit in the autumn and when the relations of
The TWO countries have steadily improved in the
last three Years Yet here Is a closely reasoned
argument to prove that while Germany has the
smaller navy its high sea squadron is superior
because concentrated under one command, as a
feet Of all arms and Instantly ready for action.
What The Spectator says about the German
feet may be applied logically TO the American
feet which viii speedily be massed i'm the
Pacic. The real motive Of the article is crlt!-
Cism OF Sir John Fisher for uncontrolled and
reckless authority the navy. II has not
been inspired BY Lord Charles Beresford. but
expresses the VIEWS which he is known TO hold
strongly.
70 REGIFATE NAVAL WARFARE
Another proof Of the supremacy OF sea power
IS supplied from The Hague The international
assembly is more correctly described as con-
gress for the regulation Of naval warfare than
as peace congress. While every commission
and subcommittee Is fully employed. the ques-
tons relating 70 belIgerent and neutral rights
At sea are Of the first order Of Importance, and
everything else is Of small consequence. The
American delegation is not making much head
way with the principle Of immunity for private
property. nor Is the British delegation vii the
counter proposal for the abolition of contraband
Baron yon Bieberstein remains the central fig
are discussing every maritime question in a
coheiliatory spirit but proving that the security
ot neutral commerce cannot be brought about
without regulation of hIockades and a definition
- contra band. His scheme for a prize court OF
appeal and the British-Japanese proposals for
he regulation Of mines offer the most prom
ising openings for ultimate results. Sir John
Fisher seems 10 have dictated the maritime pol
icy Of the British delegation
BRITISH POLITTCAL AFFAIRS
There are, apart from sea power. several issues
~ rnonnentous interest in British politics One is
the project for a South African confederation.
brought forward by Lord SeIborne in a states
raniike way. The I've states and both white
reces favor the union. and it will be carried out
without unnecessary delay. II viii end in the
creation of Dutch federation under the British
Crown. for Cape Colony viii be ruled by the
Dutch when the dlsfranchised rebels regain
their votes Al The next election. RaisuIFs fresh
useful result. showing that Germany has
disposition TO olstruct French rights under the
A.Seciras convention The royal visit 10 Ire
land next week will supply touch Of good
FEELING when sympathy is urgently needed. The
island IS seething with discomfort and cIouded
with depression Land purchase has been only
partially carried out, and the Nationalsts
taking the ground that the local resources for
financing the scheme are exhausted, and that the
treasury must bear a larger proportion Of the
cost Of putting the people in possession OF The
soil The royal visit. while private matter
rather than social function. will do something
10 restore good relations. Even more disturbing
than the omnous state CT dissatisfied and dis
hear;ened Ireland is the evidence from Jarrow
tha. the trade unions are Indifferent To the fate
of Liberalism, and bent upon making the Ia Dor
party the dominant power I'm the kingdom. The
result is A warning TO the government that the
coalition with labor win be off when the general
election comes on and that Of Liberal
VIII be lost
BRILLIANT GAYETY N LONDON
London has been brilliant capital this week
with another full court conspicuous in the
spleador Of jewels and costumes. two royal balls
(,roevarpy EIo,sa the ,,arIen marty At s,zi.-.