Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-22

The Naval Yardstick.

During the week ended today, since
Ambassador Dawes presented his Gre
dentials to King George at Windsor, the
Anglo-American program for further
liEnitation Of naval armament has been
substantially advanced. Here and there,
in America and abroad, disappointment
Is evinced over the fact that more con-
crete results have not been already
achieved. Such emotions are unjustified
and unreasonable. Rome was not built In
day. We have no right to expect the
naval millennium by special delivery.
We should be satisfied that 1T is on
the way, IS 1t indubitsbly Is.
Since Gen. Dawes and Premier Mac
Donald met on June l6 and spoke IN
public on June 10, inomentous progress
may be recorded. In the first place,
their conversations and their speeches
were notice to the world that the twain
Of great Enslish-speaking demecracies
h Of one determined mind on the ques-
tion OF reducing sea armament. Amer
lea and Britain, it was simultaneously
disclosed by Messrs. Dawes and Mac
Donald, agree that statesmanship, not
seamanship, must be invoked II Uncle
Sam and John Bull are to bury the
naval Ratchet. who can say, with
those quintessential foundations laid,
that the two countries have not marched
In seven-leaeue boots toward their APP
pointed goal?
There have been two other develop
nsents during the week, Of hardly less
significance. The more important OF
them is the aequlescence OF. Japan
in the Anglo-American plan to federate
the naval powers anew in q progressive
limitation project. The Toxic govern
ment on june 1s, within twenty -four
hours OF the Dawes Macdonald utter
snces in Great Britain. requested Mr..
Neville, the American charge d'affaires
in Japan. to assure washington Of Nip
pon's complete acquieseence in. them.
Japan Is the third strongest naval
power in the world, or, assuming Anglo
American parity, the second strongest.
Her readiness to stand shoulder to
shoulder with Great Britain and the
United States In minimizing the eco
monte burdens imposed by excessive
armament Is Of vital importance. The
Japanese people are heavily taxed for
the upkeep o., their army and navy.
They have every reason to welcome the
prospect Of relief which another linita-
ton OF sea strength would bring them,
The latest news Is Secretary stims
sons announcement that Ambassador
Gibson. our representative on the pre-
liminary Disarmament Commission at
Geneva, has been directed to confer
with Ambassador Dawes In London Mr..
Gibson is the custodian In -chief of the
Hoover ''yardstick,' or formula Of
RELATIVELY" which the President at
Arlington on Memorial day ofhcialiy
designated as the American program"
Apparently Gen. Dawes assignment is
TO .'selr' the yardstick to Premier Mac
Donald.
The ground has been well laid for its
acceptance by the British government.
When both America and Britain have
formally approved the limitation basis
for which the yardstick calls. 1t will be
time enough to tackle freedom of the
seas" Undoubtedly it is the intention
OF Washington eventually to press for
= solution of that burning issue. 1t
Hes ct the root OF genuine peace at sea
between the United states and Great
Britain.