The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-26
PRESIDENT MAKES
HEADWAY IN HIS
TALKS WITH CHIEFS
CONTINUED From First PaEe.l

any apprehensions growing out
OF territorial perpleXities and strategic
frontiers. So II may be said hat much
of the present discussion in regard to
the size Of ornaments in America and
Great Britain will necessarily be linn
tied by the practical facts Of a league
OF nations when once such a thing has
been created.
II Is not true that the American mis-
Sion has reached a decision as to what
II will recommend with respect to the
German fleet, as formal action will
probably be postponed until the ques-
ton of the size of navies Is taken up
by the peace conference, but, neverthe-
less, an American view, which has in
fluential supporters, argues that unless
the belligerents are willing to dis
tribute the German fleet in such a
fashion as to eQuallZe the strength of
the navics Of the world, the best thing
to be done is 10 melt up all the war
ships surrendered by Germany. Holders.
Of this view declare that while admit
ting the prepOnderanCe of the sea power
OF other nations hitherto, they do not
believe that America can afford any
longer to be placed in a position Of re-
lying solely upon the British navy.
Urge Scaling Down.
Indeed, these men go so far as to
urge that while they are anxious that
the two Enelish-speaking d~emocracies
comparatively shall be the backbone Of
any league of nations. there ought to
be no objection to sealing the fleets
down. II Is fully realized, however, that
the British may he unwilling TO do
this, so 1t Is being urged that the
American naval program now before
congress will enable the United States
to reach a point Of equality with the
FlAAe - IHNAAt TprANnt4 4AA 800
time, the fAt that the British navy
Of immediate future will be larger than
that Of America. is at the bottom of
the proposal that unless the German
fleet be given to America, Italy, France
and Japan, 20 az to bring up their naval
strength somewhere neat that Of the
British, the best thing to he done Is
to contemplate the ~dismautling Of the
German ships,
When | asked an American naval Of
fever of prominence whether he would
not view with II feeling of regret the
destruction of so many vessels, he re-
marked ANY officer who looks upon
me weapons OF the navy as anything
but an fundamentally to obtain the
good Of mankind mistakes the purpose
for which the American navy, at least,
has always stood
Indeed he gave mo the impression
that 1t would not be a bad idea to
accustom the world TO thinking OF a
reduction OF, ornaments and that now
was as good time as any TO see the
ndEies scaled down, Of which the dis
mantling Of the German fleet would be
a conspicuous example.
MY own prediction Is that tho Amer
lean mission will he inclined to view
with disfavnr the distribution of the
German fleet In such a fashion as to
increase the gap between America and
(IFnuf RritDlu In naval NXITpnuth mud
that, as a compromise solution, It may
be proposed to dismantle the fleet en-
tirely.F
The i~ntrIcactes Of the problem directly
involve the agreement which may be
reached in regard to a league OF nav
lions. Ia fact, practically every inpor-
tant point of difficulty sooner or later
turns up on what America and the al
hes are ready to do in such a league.
For this reason Mr.. Wilson has been
urging that many points which other
wise might produce differences, can be
harmoni2ed II a definite understanding
OF the character Of the international
Of the discussion In regard to the free
dom Of the seas win be proved to have
been superiluous IL an agreement Is
reached that the preservation OF the
peace Of the world Is a common ooliga'
ton of all the ~signatory powers.
As one member of the American mis-.
sion explained, there Is not the slightest
objection to the possession by Great
Britain of a large navy, but this should
not mean that she Will be able to NsI
her force to dictate the laws Of the sea
Internationally the American point q
view In regard to sea laws is not unlike
that Of the British, but instead Of de,
pending upon the benevolent exercise
thereof II Ia believed that all the pow
ers including the United States should
bind themselves exactly az to how aei
power IN to be used in time OF war. Thit
would recognize the possibility OF out
break Of universal val when covenant
OF the league are broken, in which cas-,
freedom OF the seas would be absolutci.
denied by every possible means to tn
offending nation,
As for example, by America and tn
naVies Of the allied countries agains
Germany, or in case of local wars be
tween neighbors In respect TO causes re
lated to small areas, in which case tn
American idea would be to prevent tn
wholesale interruption OF trade an
commerce Of the world through IN
right OF a large navy to obtain and sei8
vessels on n part OF the seven sea
merely to carry out rules made on tn
spot by a dominating force. Here aRat
a league OF nations Is expected I
define tho exact amount OF interior
cnce which bclligerents shah be able I
impose upon neutrals with pTetcronC
always for the rights Of the latter white
comprise a majority Of human being
whose welfare otherwise would be jeoI
lied.
. Copyright, 1918, by the New York
d, Evening Post Inc