Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07
RIVALRY ON THE HIGH SEAS
Building of Dreadnoughts in Excess
of German Program.
ANALYSIS OF THE COAL STRIKE
Aviation Aid to Navy-Web-Footed
Hawks Wanted-Curtiss Ma
chine Complimented.
BY PHILIP EVERETT.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Cabegram to The Star.
LONDON, April 6.-While the an
nouncement recently made in parlia-
ment by Winston Churchill in regard
to the naval policy of the present gov
eminent has been hailed with cheers
by all the tingoes of the country, and
while many liberal statesmen realize
that the policy Of Mr.. Churchill may be
the only one possible under present
circumstances, it is no source of JOY
to the real friends of peace and
progress.
The British shipbuilding program is
arranged with regard to the completed
action Of the German fleet law, rather
than to the precise number of ships
turned out from year to year. Hitherto
the general rule has been to construct
dreadnoughts on the basis of about
three British ships to two German
ships, having regard to the final bal
ance Of power in this now dominating
category Of war vessels. This has, of
course, meant total advantage of
more than two to one, considering
England's vast superiority in the pre-
dreadnought battleships.
The question is now: Has this stand
ard been raised by Mr.. Churchill?
The program means in it's normal
constructed this year. three will be be-
gun next year and four in 1914. But
what will happen if the proposed Ger
man additions to the navy law come
into effect? Apparently England starts
from that moment on a basis Of two
keels to one for each German addition
to the present basis Of her fleet law
Plans Call for Five.
In other words. instead Of building
three dreadnoughts next year England
will build five. The reason is that the
admiralty is making an increasing
allowance for the decreasing number
and value of the pre-dreadnought types.
But the fact remains that If the revised
German plans go through, England will
this year be building four dreadnoughts
to the German two, and in 1913 five to
the German three, with the usual vast
and costly compliments in the shape
of fleets of cruisers of different types
and a shoal of destroyers and sub
marines
What does Germany propose to do?
1t is very difficult to tell, for no one
knows yet how great will be the inf1u-
ence the war-hating socialists will eX-
ert or how much the improved diplo-
matte position in London will modify
the rather threatening plans of the
government
The whole liberal party in England
and probably no man more than Mr..
Churchill himself-hopes that moder-
alton will prevail in Germany and that
jingoes will be silenced, for every addi-
ton to the German fleet weakens the
protest of British liberalism, and adds
weight to the automatic force in this
country, which makes for greater and
greater fleets. The process is endless.
unless we are to conceive it as cut
short by war. Under it each country
senselesSly taxes the other. If Ger
many can even today force England to
build four dreadnoughts to her two, to-
morrow she may compel Great Britain
to construct eight to her four, while
England on her side lays correspond
ing burdens on her people. The propo-
sition Germany has now set is hardly
an excessive one, but no one will pre-
tend that it assists the cause of peace.