Evening star., 1923-05-03
COMMANDER SEAS
TALK|GNORED HERE
u. S. Makes Light of British
Admiralty Plea for
Navy Funds.
B1 DAVID LAWRENCE.


Secretary Hughes has let it be
known that he is not particularly
disturbed over the phrase "commah hd
Of the seas as used by the first lord
OF the British admiralty in the lat
rer's plea to parliament for a S5o,ooo,-
900 appropriation to fortify the Brit
ish naval base at Singapore.
Mr.. Hughes is inclined 10 regard
the observation made in the British
parliament couple days ago as
rhetorical expression. Just what is
meant by command OF the seas
might be as much subject TO con-
,roversy as its famous opposite
freedom of the seas" but the essen
tial point which the American gov
eminent bears in mind IS that the
ratio of naval strength between the
United States and Great Britain was
defined both in spirit and IN letter
by the Washington arnsm smeni .IeatS
Of a year ago in which the tWo
countries were placed on an eQuR!ltH
of sos with Japan represented ny
the third figure III the ratio
The United States and Great Brltain
were to be equal naval rorces-that
was clear enough-hut 1t VIII always
be matter OF controversy among
naval men as to whether the British
or the American navy Is superior
simply because one. navy VIII noaSt
OF q better training and experience
and another will boast OF better
record of gun fire. It was to be ex-
pected that British naval men would
argue constantly for greater appro-
priations so as to maintain 4 superb
ority over all other navies. even
ibough in ships and materials the
two navieS would be closely limited.
The recent discussion OF the elevation
Of guns is n pertinent case OF natura !
rivalry. which both countries will
have to watch. but il is evident from
The tone of official comments today
chat rhetorical expressions or boasts
about command OF the seas" will not
be taken seriously.
No Official Notice.
1t was pointed out for instance.
that when American senators in their
confessional debates or speeches
selves freely on any subject per
tanning TO a foreign country the dis
cussions are rarely, IL ever. the sub
iect OF diplomatic correspondence. SO,
consequently, no official notice will be
taken OF the speech OF the first lord
OF the British admiralty, who must
inevitably make as deep an impres"
sion on his audience as he can to
get approximations, and who may ap-
peal to British naval pride or any
thing else with rhetorical emphasis
to gain his point.
The development of the British
naval base at Singapore was talk &c
aaout informally during the Washing.
ton conference and has more direc'
relationship 10 the protection OF
British interests in India than 1t does
to anything which America Nigh,
ever have occasion to challenge, and
there exists no disposition here to bt
Jealous over the natural expansion OF
British fortifications in the vicinity OF
her own possessions, as the spirit OF
the arms conference was to prevent
the growth OF armaments for ofenst
and to set up ratios of strength which
would adequately protect and defend
existing territory.
Navy Omcers Sensitive.
All the foregoing. however. is the
much more sensitive even to rhetorl-
cal expressions like command OF the
seas than are officials OF the Depart
ment OF State.
The interpretation Of the 5-5-3
treaty from year to year will always
be a delicate proposition. with the dip
lpmatic side of the two governments
anxious to do nothing to offend while
the naval men on both sides VIII pc
straining at the leash to get appro-
prfations for more personnel and pet
ter quality equipment. Again and
again since the arms conference Sec
retary DENLY OF the navy departing emf
has protested publicly that certain i'm
provements in personnel and arma-
ment were necessary 10 live up 10 the
plane of equality with Great Britain.
but he has never said anything which
would indicate q desire on the part
OF the United States TO put on she
seas navy of greater strength tina IN
the British, however confident Ameri-
can sailor men might be that given
ships of equal force their skill and
maneuvers would entitle them to ar
que that they held command OF the
seas"
The upsfot of the incident probably
will be no exchange of notes between
the two governments. but unquestion-
ably Sir Auckland Geddes. the British
ambassador. who is good reporter OF
things going on in America. will write
a long letter describing the effect on
American opinion of the command of
the seas speech of the first lord of the
admiralty and the phras Sc will take its
place along with many others in speech
es that have been called "indiscreet.
and have never been repeated in the in
terest of good feeling between the
two peoples.
Copyright 1927