, 1921-11-05

the future7 Shall Il be large enough
simply 10 relieve distressed Ameri-
cans in various parts Of Central and
South America? II SO. then n few
ships are sufficient.
Shall the navy be big enough to de-
fend the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
from any enemy whatsoever Then II
must be as large as the greatest navy
namely h British.
Shall the American navy be as large
as that Of any power except Great
Sritain. Shall # always be greater
than that OF Japan? The answer is the
maintenance then Of n navy as big as
our present establishment and the
continuance OF tho present cost.
In other words. what Is the foreign
policy OF America to be-aggyessive
or defensive. worldwide or purely ma
uonal?
Obviously II would be cheaper II
America and Great Britain could
agree to act together in the future as
they did in the European war. The
combined strength of the two navies
would be able to overcome any ,po-
tential foe. But an alliance with one
nation is considered dangerous IL
only leads 70 the growth of other al
AAaAAIGS u oAAdtl ll8 llT6l- sc n ktn-
eral combination OF all naval powers
bound together to preserve the peace
would be tho cheapest proposition that
could be made-an association OF ua.
tons. Woodrow Wilson thought re-
duction Of expense would
ffoliow universal tndoption of the lea.
cue of nations. His formula has been
reiccted for the time being by the
United States. President Harding has
another formula. less rigid than Mr..
Wilson'S but having for its object in
ternational cooperation as expressed
in the Republican national platform
of 1920-namely agreement among ma
ltions to redico armament and pre-.
serve peace.
If America decides that each ma
ton ought to be permitted to fulfill
Its aspirations along national lines,
then tho demand of the American
navy will be for q position the equal
of any other or nearly SO. If Amer
lea decides to pool her strength with
the others, u naval experts will be
comeplled to propose radical reduc-
lions on every side. OF course moth.
ing would be done TIL all nations
would agree. The good faith of each
power would be pledged to the obser-
vance OF the new treaty or conven-
ton. A violation of the treaty would
be a matter of common concern and
consultation. Mr.. Wilson's league
was interpreted rs involving physical
force ut nee to punish such a viola
ton. Mr.. Harding's idea is to let
moral force and tho play of world
opinion back the offending nation into
a corner and compel obedience. Sub
it might become necessary
for the powers to take steps to
squelch a enthusiastically inclined ma
If there's an agreement on Far
Eastern questions and all the nations
Including Japan sign It, the various
win be morally bound to see
Japan keeps faith. It isn't neces- |
to prescribe penalties in advance.
European nations have given evi-
dence of what they will do IL treaties |
arc made craps of paper" America
freedom OF action. the right
TO determine the nature of the viola
lion and what 1t shall do at the mo-
That's where President Hard
ng differs from Woodrow Wilson, but
,asically they have tho Same pur-
,ose of international cooperation
consultation to preserve peace.
VIII the conference succeed? It's a
Continued on Page - j.