Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25
BRITISH REFUSE TO SEE
AMERICAN NAVAL PLAN
Demand for Parity in Cruiser Class Held
Unreasonable i'm All Circles-Desire
for Understanding Seen.

the defense and given IL a. rather
bad time. Lord Cecil's resignation
and Indictment Of British policy have
served to confirm all American sus-
picion and strengthen American re-
sentiment.
It would be a mistake, however, 10
assume that Lord Cecil sees eye for
eye with the American Government.
On the contrary, he regards the
American contentious at Geneva as
unrea sonable, and the American criti-
cism Of the British course as mischie-
vous and even malicious. Lord Cecil
only argues that in the situation
which exists in the world, and in
Britain in particular. the policy Of
wisdom would be TO yield 70 the
American demands.
In this situation the government
has fallen back upon a fairly clear
line. II purposes to follow a course
Of naval construction which is based
upon British conception Of British
need, without regard 70 the United
states. In word. IL declares its
purpose to be to disregard America
as naval factor in the British
equation.
L. s. Program Unknown.
No one in Britain knows today what
the American program is To be. And,
as | have said, most Enghshnen De-
lieve that in the end our course VIII
fall in with what Britons conceive 1t
ought TO be, il it's TO be cOnconant
with Justice and reason. But II IL
should be demonstrated that the
American program carried with IL
clear supremacy in the field Of 10 900
ton cruisers, enormous pressure would
be put upon the Tory cabinet
TO meet what would be regarded n
that quarter as a challenge.
Nevertheless the British people.
without regard 10 parties, the Baldwin
cabinet, and / believe the prime min
lister is in this group, have accepted
the fact that in any competition De-
tween naval programs the wealth o.
the United States is so dispropoT;ion-
ate 20 British that the end would be
inesca pable. Thus, II the issue were
squarely posed. believe that the
competition would be avoided even az
the cost Of naval parity.
On the other hand. there are many
Tories who cannot bring themselves
TO accept the idea Of a parity. They
simply refuse 10 accept the notion
tina, the American people will con-
sent 20 supply the money. They are
satisfied that while we are threat
ening 10 build many cruisers. we are
doing this simply 10 force Britain TO
concede parity. But il Britain holds
fast. they are certain that we shall
abandon the bluff.
Sees No Compromise
But in my Judgment it IS useless
and even foolish for the American
people or Government TO hope or
expect that the British admiralty or
49, q
actual superiority in cruisers simply
because they are faced with an
American demand for parity. The
earliest moment al which they will
he ready to discuss the question il
when the issue Is one between parity
and American superiority.
We are, in effect. asking the Brit
iSh To give I'D a naval supremacy
which has been theirs Tor three CEN
turtles. Il goes against nature and
tradition 10 expect these people IN
the admiralty 10 consent 20 sacrl-
fee the principle OF superiority and
accept that Of parity before thew
are brought face 10 face with the
proof that we mean business.
Neither real competition nor any
dangerous bitterness between our
two peoples seems 20 ME. on the
basis OF British conditions in the
least likely. cannot conceive OF
anything which would bring the peo-
pie OF England 10 believe thar we are
seeking 10 take from them sea su-
premacy for the purpose 81 attack
ing them either directly or indirectly.
Desire for understanding.
Meantime. beneath the troubled sur
face there - cropping IN again the
old longing. particularly III liberal ard
progressive directions. for an Anglo-
American understanding.
Thus. while the British are pretty
universally angry at US. they are just
~ generally reverring 90 the old idea
that in some way our TWO countries
must work sogether, stand toSe,hsr.
find some basis ~ general cc-opera-
ton. This fact Is. IN itself. rrC>ct pos
i.tve that on the British side the naval
controversy is unlikely 20 have any
serious Consequences or even long 20
disturb public opinis,u
Europe. the ccntItent, 30 she Brit.
tSh popular mind. lis drifting with
alarming rapidly toward another
catastrophe. In tAal situation ncs
oaly Is a serious quarrel with the
t0lted States uutAtuk9hls bur the
need for American cooperation in pre-.
venting the crash IS daily SrewtuS. II
the United States chooses ~ he I'm,
rNaSonahle and eVep SNjSeus in the
matter ~ ships, there is nothing t.
DO hUI les her ~ ahead ard build.
III Nou mu$s bUllj. esstli and b
damned" SAYS John Hall eNyvrSSiVely,
but dong NNu dare 10 believe | ar,
excited about the question And IN
any case positively refuse to 0asr'
tCcrVvtkNt ta"-N