Evening star., 1920-03-11
BRITISH SHC0L0N|AL
NAVAL POLICY MAY
AFFECT j. S:.STAND
Secretary Daniels, Witness,
Told Committee How War
Made Change.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The Navy Department of the United
States looks askance at the plans of
Great Britain to stimulate the build
ing OF a navy in each of her colonial
possessions. including Canada, Aus
tralia and New Zealand, believing that
thus the combined naval strength Of
the British empire will be greater
than it has bsen hefose and viii vir-
tualiy nullify the public statements
or Sir auckland Geddes. the new Brit
ish ambassador. and other British
officials to ths effect that England is
planning q reduction Of naval arma-
ment.
The discussion here is ocasioned by
the completion of a report by Admiral
Jellicoe. after trip around the world.
in which he has advised the British
colonies on plans for naval defense.
Particularly did this arouse comment
here in connection with Canadian ma
val defense, Tor there never has been
boring countries needed any naval
vessels on the great lakes, and from
this fact it has been usually supposed
that special naval defense for Canada
would never be attempted.
On the other hand. 1t cannot be said
ly~canvassed and it is early to reflect
Washington opinion.
Adverse Comment,
Thus far the project of enlarging
the entire British navy through sep-
arate colonial navies is coming in for
good deal Of adverse comment, and
Canada is not singled out especially.
indeed. coming upon the heels of the
controversy over the right of the Brit
ish colonies to vote as six units in
the league OF nations. the question of
building navies for the British nation
as well has already been seized upon
by persons none too friendly to Brit
ish cooperation as vehicle for fur
ther argument in that direction.
The sensitive attitude of Congress
and the Navy Department may be dis
covered in the stenographic record.
just available. of Secretary Daniels
testimony before the House naval at
fairs committee:
Representative Browning: Did
you see an article in this mornings
paper in regard to the English navy:
Secretary Daniels: Yes
Mr.. Browning: Saying that they
did not expect it to be any larger
Secretary Daniels: l saw that.
Mr.. Browning: Have you anv
comment to make on that statement
Secretary Daniels: OF course L
would not like to make any comment
on it as being official. Unless 1 had
an official statement from Great Brit
ain. would not like to assume.
Mr.. Browning: l do not presume
that it is official.
The chairman: 1t purported to
quote the ambassador who is COM
ing to this country. and, Mr.. Secre-
tary. il that statement should be veri-
fied-in other words. if this statement
OF the ambassador should turn out to
be the policy of Great Britain-what
have you to say about it?
Mr. Daniels Query.
Secretary Daniels: I would like to
Great Britain as represented in par
Lament in London or whether in
stead of building these great ships
by Great Britain through the inn
perial government the increase is to
be made in line with the policy for
around the world, where he has pro-
posed to Canada. New Zealand and
the English colonies that they should |
build navy, which they
have not had heretofore. In that
case it might be that the imperial
ships. but the colonies would.
Mr.. Hicks: "As I understand it, Mr. |
Secretary, you stated that unless the !
league of nations is entered into by |
The United States, you feel con-
strained. as I understand. to recon-
mend that the United States build |
he largest navy in the world"
Secretary Daniels: Absolutely"
Mr.. Hicks: What I would like to |
know is how you can reconcile that |
20 this condition. Previous to the war |
Great Britain had the largest navy !
n the world. as she has now. There |
vas no league of nations then even !
N contemplation, yet we were not ,
building then to outstrip Great Brit |
lin. Now. why should we at the
present time. even without the league |
II nations, embark upon program to |
,utbuild Great Britain: Why should
We change the policy we have fol-
owed for the past four or five years?"
Secretary Daniels: I do not think |
We ought to start on a program or
,e influenced by program to out
,ufld Great Britain or in competition
With any one particular nation. but
hink IL we are to 60 back to tho old
conditions, particularly with the
Ireat unrest throughout the world.
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