The Washington herald., 1921-08-07
Navies and the Pacific.

II an article in the Saturday ReSieO Arthur Pollen,
the wellknown naval expert discusses in gen.
eral the question of naval rivalry and its relation
to the problems OF the Pacific and in particular a
number OF points brought up by Mr.. Bywater in his
book, Sea Power in the Pacific" Mr.. Pollen says
that since the forces which brought into being the
colossal navies of Great Britain Japan and America
no longer exist, appears to be necessary to find
some explanation for their continued existence other
than the true There are" he writes "jngoes
everywhere, and where no real danger exists a dan
ger must be invented to justify the continuance OF
ornaments. 1t is this which explains the absurd
spectacle witnessed early this year in New York.
"The chiefs of the American Navy League are
to protagonists OF the greatest possible friend
ship with Great Britain Yet in, February last they
in open alliance with Mr.. Hearst, and all
that that astounding creature stands for just because
Mr. Hearst was urging larger, and still larger,
navy on his fellow coyntrymen-without that navy
America would have no means of checking the in
tolerable imperialism of the mother countryi So,
too in Japan-there seems doubt of it--there are
fanatic mitarists who descry just such enemy
to themselves in America, was Germany to the
civilized community Of Europe seven years ago.
They all for arming their country to the utmost
and seem to be urging a preventive war OF ofense
to themselves from inevitable Of defense.
1t is, of course, all very ridiculous" t
AIR. POLLEN does not agree with the theory
IVV advanced by Mr.. Bywater that war be-
Avn tween Japan and the United States would
be primarily struggle for the control Of the islands
of the Pacific which held by these two ma
tions. If to be declared, he believes that
each side would try to bring about quick decision
and would aim at paralyzing its enemy. He does
not consider, however, that there is much danger
that any such will occur. 1t is uncomfortable
that such should be provoked by. either party.
at is thing for Carpenter to step lightly into
the ring with Dempsey, for to be beaten is only
few moments discomfort, and there is always the
chance of miracle. But If that very light heavy
weight Japan, went in against the exceedingly slow
but appaingy tough Colossus, the United States,
the miracle of victory would be inconceivabe, and
defeat would not be few moments Of discomfort.
with all the worlds cheers to soace the dsappoint
ment of fatuous hope, but obliteraton that
would be utter and complete And, of course, one
knows that truth better than the of Japan.
If 'warlike' liking war, then was there
people less warlike than TRANSATLANTIC cousins
But if warlike' means dislike Of ending war until
its purpose is achieved then their history shows the
Americans to be very conspicuously Of this breed.
1t took years of provocation to drive them to the
War OF, Independence, of 1872, Of the North and
South, and the great war. But, once in, they de-
veoped kind of pig-headed determination to 60
through with it that must give pause to any power,
large or small rich poor, near distant. The
Japanese know these truths quite WELL and, knowing
them, will welcome the counsels of sanity that will
make the disarmament that all desire thing that
each country can concede without loss of dignity"