The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-13
Foreign Nations Greed for
Domination Opposite to
. Americas Views.
SPURNED RULE OF SEA
Uncle Sam, With Mastery
in Grasp, Turns Face
Toward Peace.
This Is the third of a great series on
the coming five-power naval parley, writ
ten by an expert on international affairs.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMNIS
scripps-H Howard Foreign Editor

Scripps-Howard Foreign Editor
The role of the United States in
the drama of naval limitation billed
to reopen in London next January
must stand out in future history as
marking as definite change in in
ternational relations as any ever
chronicled.
SO far as the attitude of one great
power toward another is. concerned,
the stand of America offers about
as sensational a departure from the
established order Of things as was
the act Of that first trail-blazing
fish. way back yonder, that forsook
its accustomed waters to climb out
on dry land and start a new mode
Of living.
The smile is not an extravaganza
one.
Sea Always BaStIe Scene
Since the dawn of time men have
fought on water the same as they
have on land. The first navy"
probably was a few followed out
logs or tree-trunks lashed together
with vines. Then came rowboats,
galleys and triremes, sailing ships,
side-wheelerS and iron ships on
down to the present era of all-steel
dreadnaughts of monstrous size and
gun-power.
And throughout all that time the
tribe, city, or nation that could bat
ter its way to dominion over the
waters, invariably has done so, re-
CARELESS Of cost in blood and treas
ure..
For some three centuries Great
Britain, as her song puts it, has
ruled the waves. One after another
Spain, France, Holland and various
coalitions have challenged her at
sea, and one by one they have gone
down in defeat.
Germany was the last to fling
down the gauntlet and today her
mighty fleet lies collecting barnacleS
at the bottom of Scapa Flow.
Power in U. S. Hands
1t was this battle between giants,
however, that presented the mast
cry OF the seas to the United States
if it cared to assume it. Germany
definitely had been wiped from the
picture, but in doing so Britain all
but finished herself. At the end OF
her string, both as to men and to
money. the scepter which she had
held so firmly and for so long, lay
loosely in her hand for America to
lift and WELD if she only cared to
do so.
All America had to do was to go
ahead and build ships. There was
nothing to stop her but her own
sweet will. She had the money and
all necessary resources to build two
ships to Britains or any other ma
TONS one, and without appreciable
effort.
AS matter Of fact, America did
commence what President Wilson
called "incomparably the most ade-
Quate navy in the world"
But this armada was destined
never to be completed. Turning to
Britain. Japan, France and Italy,
the four other outstanding sea pow
erS, America pointed to her growing
fleet and offered to scrap the bulk
Of it If the rest would join in new
to free the sea of rule by
brute force.
World Is Amazed
This spontaneous decision of the
United States to forego grabbing
what was virtually already in its
hands, at first half stunned the
chancelleries Of the world, then the
powers came forward and appar-
emily in whole-hearted way accepted
the unique invitation.
But the first conference at Wash
ington succeeded only partially.
Battleships and aircraft carriers
were limited, but the sky was left
the limit for cruisers, submarines,
and other auxiliary craft. Nor did
a second attempt at Geneva, get
any farther.
The London conference will bring
the powers together for third try.
Complete success will be difficult.
but If the parley does succeed, TO
the full, tradition of thousands Of
years standing will go glimmering
and a genuine contribution to world