The Washington herald., 1909-05-25
That Naval Rivalry.

have been going on at Lake Mohonk or
the subject OF the increasing armaments
Of the nations. and especially on ths
rivalry in naval supremacy between
Great Britain and Germany, there seems
TO hare been no definite conclusion ar
rived at that viii prove satisfactory &c
the layman- Dr. Butler. Of Columbia
University, added much to the discussion
and his phrases about the intensive ep-
Ihication Of the discoveries of theoretical
science 10 Industrial processes" may have
added much to the enlightenment of the
political economists. but certainly have
done little to clarity the view Of that
everyday individual popularity known as
''the man In the street
We think that there is considerable
justice IN DR.. Buffers observations that
in Grsat Britain's recent attack Of Ger
manphobia as evidenced. first. by the
success OF that melodrama, IAN Eng
lIshman's Home" and afterward by the
fulminations Of Lord Roberts and other
distinguished soldiers. who seriously af-
feet TO believe that Germany has. in
some mysterious quarter Of London. a
huge depot filed with military supplies
ready for the use OF German invaders. the
British nation is suffering from a mild
attack Of emotional insanity. But II is
too much 10 say that England is abso-
lutely in the wrong IN her persistent in
tention OF maintaining the two-power
standard Il Is undoubtedly true that
Germany's activity IN navy building has
made the maintenance OF this theory an
increasingly expensive one for Great
Britain. and Just now, when that nation
IS trying such experiments IN govern
mental socialism as old-age pensions and
such expensive utilities. the burden
is being felt
But We think Il a mistaken assumption
on the part OF the members OF the peace
conference at Lake Mohonk that Great
B-itain's tnsistenoe on q navy equal to
that OF any two possible rivals means an
intention Of war. Surely IL Germany.
with q mercantile tonnage only one-hfth
that OF Great Britain. needs a large navy
to protect Il. Great Britain can find her
justification AS a matter OF fact. II the
size OF nations navy were TO be pro
portioned 70 the bulk Of its mercantile
trade overseas. Great Britain's navy
should be as strong as that OF all the
o;her powers IN the world combined,
only excepting the United States.
The same Justification for naval in
crease holds true Il the need For a navy
Is based On extent Of empire or on popu-
lation governed. for On either OF these
bases, compared with other nations.
Great Britain IS entitled to a much larger
navy n proportion than she already has.
Heavy as the burden OF increasing
naval armament sand Il is likely 70 be-
come heavier-ths people who pay must
be content 20 regard the expenditure. as
Insurance against danger 10 their Indus
trial and commercial prosperity. We
are at a tine OF change. The next dec
ads, the next I've years. next year, may
see the perfection Of invention which
VIII render useless the monster battle
ships that 50 burden the people 10 SUD
port But without hystsria, without be-
oorui0e aIar771ad ,rifbo,,. faa-s-- - -
pecting war. the British government is
doing the only thing possible under the
circumstances when II IS straiuIns It's
resources to keep so far ahead Of its
nearest commercial rival as TO make an
armed contest On the seas almost inpos-
sible. The old axiom. In time OF peace
prepare for war" is as true to-day as Il
ever was.