The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-10-21
We Must Not Scrap the Naval
Program.

The amount Gov Cox expects ia
save this countrv in the event Of his
election and the adoption Of the
league of nations, by abandoning our
naval program. escapes us for the
moment. It runs into the millions
and is in direct contrast with the
announced policy OF Japan
Japan has announced that her
military and naval programs will go
on as before. because, as one OF her
statesmen remarks. I'VE do not have
very much faith in the efficacy of
the league TO enforce peace"
Japan is not only carrying out her
naval program, but It is being speed
ed up, Notwithstanding that country
is a member Of the league of nations
and subscribes to tho principle that
"the maintenance OF peace will re-
quire the reduction OF national arma-
ments to the lowest point consistent
with national safety, and, the en-
forcement by common action of in
ternational obligations"
Japan claims that It is not viola
ton of the covenant for that coun-
try to increase rather than reduce it's
naval power. The Japanese are
very shrewd people. They have JUS
titled their policy by finding a flaw
in article 5 OF the covenant. which
Is interpreted as meaning that the
naval armament Is 10 be reduced to
the lowest point consistent with ma
tional safety, having special regard
to the geographical situation and cir
cumstances of each state"
Japan claims that owing to her
geographical situation she is justified
even under the covenant in increas-
ing rather than reducing her arma
ment.
We are not disposed TO place any
Gov. Cox's implied suggestion that
this country shall abandon its de-
fensive program and place its re-
nance in the league for protection. |
II we thought that Gov Cox serious
w contemplated scrapping the naval
program of the United States, we
would be disposed to view his posi-
ton with misgivings.
But it is perfectly apparent that
there is nothing in the covenant of
the league of nations to compel
reduction OF national ornaments. II
such a policy Is carried out by the
members, it must he by common ac-
ton and agreement, OF course any
nation, whether a member of the
league or not can reduce its arma
ments or abandon them altogether.
As for this country, we think IT
fair TO assume that it will continue
its traditional policy OF protecting its
own interests and compelling OBJ
servance of the Monroe doctrine by
the maintenance OF naval power
sufficient to enable II to make good
its word in any controversy but
without ever possessing an army or
navy of such proportions as to con-
stitute a menace TO any other ma
tion.
Regardless of the official and Dip
lomatic relations existing between
altogether friendly, 1t is perfectly |
evident that there does exist a mu-
tual distrust on the part of both Ma
tions. The japanese question on the
Pacific coast is one that is likely to
involve the international relations Of
the two countries at any time
However much We may minimize
or deny 1t, the subject nevertheless
is one of absorbing interest to the
people OF California a... other West
ern states. and Ven Il tho views
are radical, nj least thps wi uat
permit of compromise
The Japanese are a sensitive pee
pie. They resent tho irrulatlou ~
,,a.n,,, .ho An,.,,-e.,or ...,.....,.
ward the yellow race.
Tanoresa rois.io,. ,....t,
states. 1rnited state. .,,r..,, ,,,.,
.rapar Tho treat,u,.r. ,..,, .,,,
each Ia uniformly ...urt.,i.4 ts. --I
DERIVING it all IS f"elnA .tJ' s.l..
thing must he TRANSMITTING ar .,,.
in order to maIntat.. his att. Il, /
There is a conviction araoar IT.. pcp
pie OF the United -1alr. ,lat l,par