Evening star., 1928-11-19
Our British Visitors.

Washington is hest this week to the
delegation of distinguished British
journalists who have been touring the
United States this Fall as the guests of
the Carnegie Endowment for Interna-
tional Peace. The National Capital
bids them cordial welcome. They
represent not only London, but the
opinion -molding provinces" of John
Bulls principal island-a composite
deputation of that Fourth Estate to
which American ideals of a free press,
like so many of cur other institutions,
owe their. origin.
One might wish that the British
editors were sojourning on Yankee soil
at a moment when Anglo-American
skies we're less beclouded. Late cables
from Great Britain indicate that they
are regarded there as distinctly overcast.
Spokesman like Mr. Lloyd George dis
cuss them in luguorious terms, though
it needs to be remembered that "the
little Welshman,' as a shining light in
His Majesty's loyal opposition would
be more than politically human if he
were to omit present opportunities to
take a fling at the Baldwin govern
ment. The peg on which Mr.. Lloyd
George hangs his lament about British
relations with the United States is the
bankrupt Franco-British naval COM
promise, which was so firmly rejected
by the Coolidge administration.
Perhaps it is just as well that the
British guests are in our midst at such
a moment. Their arrival in Washington
synchronizes with worldwide discussion
of President Coolidge's Armistice day
speech. For reasons not wholly ap-
parent to Americans, Europe in general,
and Britain In particular, has taken
umbrage at the Presidents observa-
tions, though they lack entirely the
virtue of novelty. Mr. Coolidge enunci-
ated no new American attitude on any
issue with which he dealt. He but re-
affirmed our position toward each and
all of them.
The President reminded the world
that the United States aspires to, and
is determined to achieve, naval parity
with the strongest sea power That was
the covenanted understanding at the
Washington naval conference of 1921
%, when the 5-5-3 ratio was adopted
1t is because the United States Navy
has fallen far below that ratio, in re-
spect of cruiser strength, that it now
contemplates building program. Even
when it is carried into effect, we shall
still be behind Great Britain in cruiser
power. There should have been nothing
new or exciting to Europe in restating
of those facts and figures.
Mr. Coolidge proclaimed anew the
United States feelings with regard to
the uses to which this Government
thinks the American money market
should be put by foreign borrowers. He
declares that our dollars are available
for the worlds constructive and pro-
ductive purposes, but not for the
financing of competitive militaristic
programs That is something else which
has been said before. And, finally, the
President reiterated this country's readi-
ness to join with other powers in ar
resting the growth of ornaments when
ever it can de done in full justice to
Americas irreducible defense require
ments.
The British and American peoples
pride themselves upon the mutual pos
session of many traits. Among them
is the priceless gift of common sense
Common sense can. and will, clear the
Anglo American skies of darkness. To
see that it is exercised. the British and
American press have a joint duty.