The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-22
A Naval Pig in a Poke

France and England are reported from Geneva as
having asked America if she is willing to accept
their recent naval accord as basis of discussion
at forthcoming disarmament conference
The news is almost unbelievable. but, if true
Washington should promptly reply with an emphatic
nothing doing" For unless our officials know
much of the pact than they profess to know
would be buying pig in a poke.
Despite veritabe, worldwide clamor for in
formation on the subject the details of the much
discussed naval deal between France and England
remain Deep if not Dire secret.
True, the British government intimates in grieved
tones that the whole thing has been exaggerated
grossly At most, nquirers are given to understand
London and Paris merely have exchanged ideas with
view to reconciling their wel-known differences on
naval and kindred subjects.
But an altogether different impression seems to
prevail in Paris There it is bruted that the agree
ment REALLY is much more far-reaching Usually
well-informed observers go far to say the old
British entente has been revived revvifed
France, it is said, will be allowed free hand in
light submarines and certain military matters while
Britain may go as far she likes building light
cruisers the two powers agreeing to cooperate, or
pool their in this direction under certain
contingencies.
Even if only rumors, suddenly bursting as they
do upon the quiet of world hopefully murmuring of
peace and disarmament, these reports are doing an
immense amount of harm. If they are not true it
would be very simple matter to prove it and put
instant stop to all these harmful suspicious and
speculations
Unfortunately, however, it is humanity difficult
to say the least, not to believe there is some fire
where there is so much smoke. For upward a
year and half the League of Nations preparatory
commission has been stopped dead in its tracks trying
70 arrange for the next disarmament conferences,
because the British and the French have kept on
insisting that call should go out until their "con-
versations" got some place.
Now, apparently, an agreement has been reached
But under the circumstances it puts considerable
strain ones credulty to believe this agreement
reached after all these months of secret negotiations
trivial or casual.
To the contrary it is reported widely that France
and Britain have agreed, among other things. to the
exclusion from any limitation all cruisers carrying
smaller than six-inch guns and all submarines of
900 tons and under.
IF So" as the Manchester Guardian England
quite correctly observes I'VE may say goodby to the
hopes of an effective disarmament treaty, for we
may be that the United States never will agree
to exclude any cruisers whateverp~ <,ru. .talee-.
Nor should we. Small cruisers are perfect naval
weapon for Britain with her far-hung chain of naval
bases And small submarines are perfect weapon
for France to protect her shores and communications
from nearby powers. But neither are of much use
to the United States, which country has no naval
bases to speak of outside of its own home waters.
Perhaps Washington officials know more about
the alleged pact than they let on If So they have
right to pledge the United States to any course
of action matter of this Importance before the
American people have had chance to know what
it is all about.
Secret agreements secretly arrived at, still may
go in Europe, but they aren't relished here. The
Franco-British agreement may be very praiseworthy
thing but the way it arrived at smacks too much
Of the diplomacy of hundred years ago.
If the nations of the world can agree to lessen
their burden of armament let them do So by all
means But let's go about it not in secret but with
everybodys eyes wide OPEN,