Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-05
The End at Geneva.


The fiat failure at Geneva is dis.
tresSing in the fact that two great
friendly nations have recorded them.
selves before the world as being
unable TO settle a dispute arising
out of their mutual effort to cut
naval expenditures and thereby to
solidify their good will and faith
toward each other by an act based
primarily on the economic benefits
10 be derived. But the conference
has failed. If milk has been spilled
there is less need Of crying over it
IN the United States than in Great
Britain. Our first line of defense will
be strengthened. not on the basis of
what somebody else is doing, but &C.
cording to our own needs. Great
Britain's navy will be enlarged as
she desires. There is no need for
bitterness here.
The American delegation, as might
have been expected from it's fine
behavior throughout the conference,
saw fit to bring the proceedings to
an end without an attempt to sum
marie it's position in a manner that
might lead to further recriminatory
argument. The conference ended, in
stead, with an unbiased joint state
ment setting forth the viewpoints of
the three conferees. This position was
taken with the thought that 1t was
better not to endanger further the
relations which already have been
subjected to some strain. But every
American citizen should have a clear
understanding of the vital points in.
volved in his country's refusal to
agree with Great Britain. Such an
understanding can be arrived at with
out malice or hard feeling.
The Washington conference was
successful in limiting the size and
total tonnage of certain capital ships
in which the United States was I'M
questionably superior. To practice
what it preached, this country scrap
ped some 100000 tons of fine ships
built or building, and in return Great
Britain strapped some ships, but
chiefly blueprints totalling in ton
mage about half the amount sacri
feed by America. Unable to extend
its agreements to auxiliary vessels,
the Washington conference adjourned.
The Geneva conference was it's sequel.
But here the situation which had ex-
listed at Washington was reversed.
Great Britain possessed a greater
actual tonnage in cruisers than any
other three powers combined. Fol-
lowing the intent Of the Washington
conference, the American delegation
suggested a total tonnage limit for
cruisers, submarines and destroyers.
Great Britain suggested a higher
: limit. America met her more than
half way, for there was no great
difficulty there. But Great Britain
wished to restrict the building of
large cruisers, mounting eight-inch
cruiser Of less cruising radius and
smaller gun caliber. To this the United
States would not agree. The Ameri.
can point Of view was to limit the to.
tai tonnage, restrict the size of ships
as agreed at Washington, but allow
any nation to build under these condi.
tons the type of ship best suited to it's
requirements. Great Britain demurred.
Although she has more 10,000.ton
cruisers afioat than the United States
has appropriated for, she wished to
limit the number Of such ships and
expand in small cruisers. Great Brit
ain maintained that she could not
build as many 10,000ton cruisers as
she needed to protect her trade
routes and keep within the total ton.
mage limitation at the same time
American naval men contend that
large cruisers are best suited for our
needs. British naval men contend
that large cruisers are suited best
for aggressive warfare But in case
there should be a war, Great Britain's
small cruisers would be at a dis
tinct advantage over American small
cruisers, both in their number and
in their mobility, made possible by g
splendidly maintained system of nava
bases. There the conference split
Great Britain was unwilling to gram
parity except under conditions which
would be to her great advantage
America was anxious to insure parity
under conditions adapted to all.
The American delegation Is to b.
congratulated on the fact that 1t hal
not seen At to engage in pyro
technics, accusations or insinuations
Its firmness for what 1t contende'
was right has been dignified and com
mendable. Its gentlemanly behavio
should be a matter Of national pride