The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-12
NAVY

IL sOIS quarters HeIc 5 q QlSpOSllOn II magnify the dit
ference between Mr.. Wilson'S Interpretation of the freedom of
the seas" and Mr.. Churchnls announcement that Britain will
enter the peace conference with the absolute determination that
no limitation shall be imposed on the right to maintain its naval
defense or its well-tred and wel-deseved naval supremacy"
AS has been pointed out so convincngly, there is no limita-
ton upon the freedom of the seas in time of peace, but in time
of war there is the same right to place whatever limitation a
warning nation can compel the same as the right to place "a
limitation upon the movement Of troops on land.
No one has suggested that there should be freedom Of
troop movement upon land in time of war, and if we shall take
issue with Britain on the right of the strongest power to protect
tons that the United States, in conjunction with the other
nations associated with it in the conduct of the war, imposed
upon Germany.
Germany was not conceded the freedom of the seas, and the
neutral nations can offer abundant testimony to the fact that
their ships were free to move only in the direction designated
by the United States and the allied fleets.
When it was shown that Holland was sending into Ger
many the foodstuffs purchased in the United States, o~stensibly
for her own people, an embargo was placed upon shipments, and
more than 100 Dutch ships were held at NVew York This
approved by every friend of the allied cause. This policy short
ened the war visibly, and brought about its collapse, Just as a
policy of freedom in permitting Germany to secure supplies from
other countries might have heightened it intcrminably.
1t must be apparent to everyone that Britain cannot consent
to enter into an agreement which admittedly would leave her
defenseless and dependent upon other nations for protection.
The moment Britain becomes a second-rate naval power"her
supremacy is gone forever.
1t might be we'll for us to stop in the midst of our iubila-
ton over our achievements in the war, and take into account the
factor that made it possible.
At the time when the German hordes we're threatening to
overrun France and England, as they had overrun Belgium and
Northern France, the call was sent to the aited States for
troops. The answer was send ships" 'By rn withdrew her
ships from the markets OF the world and risked starvation to get
them there, rather than risk defeat by postponing her response
The American troops went to France, but they went, very
largely upon British transports and guarded by the British
navy. Do we begrudge to Britain the strength that permitted
her to protect our troops from the submarines, and land them
in France almost free Of casualies2
Those who protest against a superior naval power for
Britain are protesting against American supremacy. Those who
would weaken Britain would weaken the United States, for
there is no conflict of purpose or of ideals between these great
nations.
The British navy cannot be dismant1ed or brought to a low
state Of efficiency without importing the future of the English
speaking peoples.
Every American should feel a greater sense Of security viii
the knowledge that the British navy is on the alert. The greater
the British navy the more formidable will be our situation in
any contingency, for the ties of blood and race are stronger
than treaties, and no harm can come of the world wide knowl-
edge that the bonds are insoluble.
OF our troops that went across Britain furnished the bot
toms that carried 100000 of them, and furnished 70 per cent
of our convoy. Until the war was over, as Judge Parker said
in his speech in New York a few days ago, we did not know that
and trawlers went down. Britain did for us what we could
not do for ourselves, at a time when our obligation to ourselves
was as pressing as the obligation to our allies.
The peculiar position of the British isles and possessions
makes it imperative that she hould have the largest navy in the
world. and there is no reason why we should not maintain our
supremacy OF second place.
Sir Henry Darlington Smith, British high commissioner in
an address in New York at the British day celebration, made a
statement that will find a response in the heart of every loyal
American, when he said:
whispers have gone around-I do not know where they
came from, but some Of you may have heard them-that the
next great war would be between America and Britain. hope
to God it is true, for if it is true it means that there will be no
next war. 1t would mean that war has vanished forever from
the earth. We have fought side by side in this same cause, and
our affections are united, Those whom God has joined together
let no man, least OF all a German, put asunder."
GLASS