Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-30
The British Jade Is W!ncinu


JUDGED by the manner in which it is
J winciny. the British jade is painfully
CALLED hy Americas Independence in even
proposing an ambitious naval building pro-
gram without SO much as humble by
your leave, England" The London press
is unusually severe in its structures Of the
American naval policy as il reads it in the
recent statement of Secretary Daniels that
we must have navy second TO none pro-
vded we do not enter a league of nations,
and in the declaration of President Elect
harding that he wishes Il navy sufficient to
protect American merchantmen. 1t is also
mildly critical of the Japanese building
program, its harshncss perhaps tempered
by remem brancc that through alliance the
Japanese navy is at Britain's call. The
Globe dubs the statement OF Daniels as
"Napdoodle.' and, with apology scantily
gracious, remarks that Hardings attitude
is the one once taken by the eX-kaiscr. The
Westminster Gazette sees a world being
hurried into ruin by the American and
japanese building programs, while the
Evening Standard questions Japans wisdom
on the ground of its mcager resources.
Expressions OF these newspapers may be
accepted as indicative of British opinion as
reflected in the public prints. Some of them
may be sincere. but to America the voice
OF Britain in this instance has ring that
is false. Ii Britain really sees world
being hurried into ruin ii it believes as
50 many of its leading statesmen and writer's
have protested, that blood is thicker than
water and armed conflicts between the two
great Anglo-SaXon nations is unthnkablc
and if 1t foreSees economic disaster for its
prOtege and ally in increased ornaments
il can say word that will halt the
armament race and Danish conditions over
which ii is protesting alarm
If Great Britain will but abrogate its
treaty OF alliance with Japan, leaving that
nation TO stand by itself, dependent on its
own power and its own resources i'm any
international quarrel in which it may engage.
ii will DO more toward the reduction of
ornaments than all its frenzicd protcsta-
lions Of impending world ruin. There has
been too much jingoism. too much chauvin-
ism on both sides, and still the fact re-
mains that Japan, the Prussia OF the Orient.
il the only nation that could hope to benc-
lt through war with the United States or
has any ground for encouraging one. What
ever Japans grievances, there is we'll
defined feeling that its trncuience is not
so much because it knows it's own inherent
power, but because OF its alliance with
Great Rritain. Japan expects a conflict with
the United States soon or late That is
certain. With this in view it is fcryer-
J y
its ability To cmbroil Great Britain in the
struggle even il the latter does not come
IN voluntarily rs an ally. There is the real
S.crcr OF what London calls the naval build
ins race. Britain holds the key 10 the
! situation and so long AS it refuses to use
| IT toward world peace and continues Sc.
! cte'ly TO encourage its ally. its protestatons
| VIII have no apprcciablc cnlcct on this side
| Of the Atlantic.
I ihe American people are not militarists
/ ihey do not want ii big navy merely for
| the sake OF the navy. but until the dream
! on universal peace, with at least partial dis
! armament. is nearer realization than it is
! now ana SO long as Britain insists on ruling
I the waves and by alliance or otherwise
/ places its iieet al the disposal of a nation
/ mat threatens us. America will use its own
/ Judgment as To The extent OF its armament
! Nor Is British advice wanted until thar
| nation can come into The world court with
! clean hands and prove that its disarna-
/ nent plea comes from the heart and is
backed up by deeds. rather from tho secre,
! counscis OF Old world diplomacy determined
! at all hazards 10 maintain the rule of which
+ II boasts