Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-02-14
Foreign Policy no Strong
err Than Navy Says
Admiral
AROUSES INTEREST
Pacifists, While Right in
Theory, Will Fail in
Practical Trials, Ac-
cording to Statement.
(BY Isaac Gregg

aSnlnSlOI, reU. IL He
statement made by Admiral
Hugh Rodman, U. S. Navy re-
tired, that the foreign policies OF
the United States can be nc
stronger than its navy hss at
;racASi considerable interest
among officials in Washington
The Admiral in his speech made
a strong appeal for the construc-
ton of SHIPS of less than capital
strength in such numbers as to
second in this respect to no ma
ton in the world and to furnish
the ships with a competent per-
sonnel.
Referring to the fact that Ger
many has been engaged in the
developmnt of a powerful navy
for several years prior to the
world wa but had not been able
quite to match the British naval
establishment, Admiral Rodman
said:
LET us profit by this expert
ence. We do not want an 80 per
cent navy but one that is up to
the full 100 per cent"
Recognizing the fact that paci-
fists are sight in theory the naval
officer asserted that their ideals
have not been borne out in prsc-
tie. No class of men disparage
war more heartily, he declared,
than do the officers and men OF
the navy who are given their
lives and best endeavcrs to the
service Of their country, Yet,
ne declared, such men can see
mere clearly than others the ne
cassity Of maintaining strong
and efficient fighting force.
an past wars" the Admiral
said. "ouc navy has never been
defeated. In times of peace ii
has demonstrated its worth to
our govrnment. Let us hope that
our country may never be called
upon to enter another war, but
should such a misfortune be
threatened, let us be prepared
and have stuch strong and effic
lent navy that first its influence
may be felt to avoid a settlement
by passage at arms, but should
this fail. let us have the assur-
ance that success will be a fore
gone conclusion, and that we still
may be able to sav that our navy
has never suffered defeat" ,
The United States should pre-
nit the Allied nations to agree
among themselves on both the
amount of reparat;ons to be paid
and on the manner of collecting
fro Germany, according to Percy
II. Johnston, president of the
Chemical National Bank. of New
York, who passed through Wash
ingtor early this week on his
way to Florida.
Nj. Johnston said that until
the Allies do reach some agree
ment and put collection measures
into effect it would be futile for
tha limited States TO attemDt to
intervene.
"But after they have settled
this question" he said, "the Uni
ted States ought to appoint a
commission of business men to
go abroad and deal with each of
Athe nations debtor to this country
on the basis of each nations abil
ity to pay.
"This is business problem,
pure and simple" he added, "and
should be treated as such. When
a business firm gets into finan-
cial difficulties we sit down
around table with representa-
tives of the firm and discuss
ways and means Of getting obli-
cations of the firm. If the COM
mittee of creditors finds it cannot
get 100 cents on the dollar ii
takes steps to get as much as ii
can"
Mr.. Johnston's observations or
the European situation were
based on an eleven weeks study
of conditions in Europe during
which he went particularly into
| financial considerations and the
financial outlook He believes
there is good hope. despite. the
occupation of the Ruhr1 and the
fpresent economic im potencee ei
Central Europe, that the financis.
condition of that country vii
Continued on page six)