The Washington herald., 1918-11-25
BRITISH PRESS
FIRM TO HOLD,
POWER ON SEA
Public Feeling Strong That
Naval Dominance Is
Vital to Nation.
PEACE HELD UNTIMELY
Kaiser, Playing Possum
Now, Would Be Safer
as Prisoner.

London. Nov. 24.-Outcroppings of
British public opinion during the last
twenty-foUr -Iours and expressions by
members Of Parliament since the Fro
rogation indicate thaC concern for the
maintenance of British sea power is
more genuine ana viii 'sp-e1I than is
the belief in maNi,.g impossible an
other worl' war.
While the British paclfist minority
is endeavoring conScih"G L yGS'y tC en-
compass the reduction of aTInaTents
as the first step toward tine creation
of a league of nations, the British
jingoes are preparing 10 notify the
world in unmistakable terms that Br.-
tannia rules the waves and figures on
keeping right on in the wave-ruiiLs
business, regardless os what other ma
TORS may thirk.
Another large section of British pub
lie opinion is voicilg the view that
tine arIhistice was granted premature
~. for political erect in the United
SITES and here. This s!:'~ent rointS
- the election he-e Two days prior to
the expiration of the aTmislice. in Re
belief that this makes It a fOrEsone
conclusion the present coalition gov
srnr1ent VIII be &C. tduwe1 with TOw-
er at the polls while every thing is
hanging fire.
Charge Political Motive.
In some quarters it is also asserted
that the groundwork for the armis-
tice was prepared hurriedly at Wash
ington, Immediately prior to the cleo
tions in the United States.
The general belief here appears to
be that the ex-Kaiser is only play
ing 'possum now. There Is, indeed,
an increasing feeling that sweeping
military movements against the Ger
man armies should have been allowed,
and that. in fact. the war should
have been carried on until the Kaiser,
his sons and the generals OF the high
command had surrendered them
selves to the allies. as Napoleon III
and his staff surrendered in 1S71.
With regard to the freedom of the
seas" which IS at the present time
the aIl-absoTbing topic of discussioi
here. the Times and Morning Post
and the chief exponents of Britain's
naval policy are coming out boldly in
behalf of the maintenance OF British
maritime supremacy. with the soft
pedal on disarmament.
Vital TO Keep Control.
ANAc lanAts odAu lOQdg NulAOIldAlg.
Let there be no mistake that II
what is meant by the freedom of the
seas be a real and substantial dimi-
mutton of sea power such as would
result from the abolition of the block
ade, this country could never consent
to it, least of all at the end of a war
that could never have been won with
out sea power"
The morning Post says:
Great Britain is an island nation
TO whose possessions abroad the sea
! is the road. 1t follows that the first
and essential condition of the security
| of the British Empire is to keep open
Sthe road of the sea in time of war
ffor British use, while shutting il to
sfhe uses of the enemy.
+, These are the elementary principles
sof British national policy. The vic
torious close of the campaign at sea
has revived the undying faith of the
British that their health. wealth and
prosperity depend upon maintenance
AOf maritime SUPREMACY"