Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-18

Pronounced difference of opinion:
with a noticeable lack of bitterness
marks discussion of the action of Con-
gress providing for the construction oil
Is new cruisers within three years
Most of those who approve the step
think Congress was wise to ignore Presi-
dent Coolidge's objection to the time
limit. Unfavorable critics insist that
the whole move is in the direction OF
naval competition instead of toward dis
armament and peace.
"One wonders if the President is
very sorry about the outcome" says
the Savannah Morning News. He
wanted the cruisers. on paper, as a USE
full instrument of diplomatic pressure
Certainly the actual building of them
will be no less an instrument in the
hands of his successor If there is to
be no agreement with Great Britain
on the cruiser problem. then we should
have the ships; If there is to be such
an agreement now is the time to reach
it, else pretty soon We will have the
ships"
The Ann Arbor News suggests: "The
President may feel that he has per-
sonal grievance because his wishes In
regard to the detail in question were
ignored. but, after all, his plan for a
better Navy has been sanctioned, and
that is what matters the most. His
victory may be discounted little in
the personal sense. by the time limit:
it is a victory, nevertheless"
HE has ample cause for satisfac-
ton with the bill as passed" in the
opinion of the Salt Lake DeSeret News.
L- he 70
the contrary, there are good reasons for
believing that the best hope for contin-
ued peace and harmonious international
relationship lies in an honestly ac-
knowledged parity between the two
powers" The Worcester Gazette feels
satisfaction that the cruiser question
seems at last to be settled, and settled
right"
THE theory that mere paper navy,
an appropriation that need not be
spent, would be effectual for trading
purposes was far-fetched," asserts the
Kansas City Journal-Post. "A bluff
cannot be proclaimed bluff and still
be impressive" The Spokane Spokes-
man-Review remarks that the over
whelming view in the Senate was that
nothing could be accomplished by
gesture"
"Other nations are not left in a
fog" AYERS the Newark Evening News.
with the added comment: 1T is not
much use arguing whether the pro-
gram adopted is good or bad, or whether
the same results, or better, could have
been obtained by emitting the time
limit The important fact, as the Lon
don Times recognizes, is that uncertain
ties are ended. Negotiations may now
be resumed with certaintieS for their
basis instead of speculation"
The 68-to-12 vote means that Con-
gresS Is in deadly earnest in its desire
10 maintain our naval strength at a
level which Is justified by our position
among the great powers" in the judg-
ment of the Cleveland News. That
paper also advises: 1T is going to be
necessary to consider the strengthen
ing of our aerial organization. Cruisers
alone cannot be depended upon to cope
with the new devices that have arisen
out of the experience of the late war"
OF the authorized cruisers the st. Louis
Times remarks: I'VE will need them
anyhow, no matter what happens in the
1881 conference, and they will clear the
atmosphere and convince European
diplomats that we mean business. Co.
ing into the conference with Is sets of
blue prints might rightfully be regarded
as cheap bluff"
The contention that "the United
States should have begun construc-
ing its first treaty cruisers in 1924,
when Great Britain laid down six such
craft" Is upheld by the San Antonio
Express, which adds: THE Washington
treaty contemplates parity of the Brit
ish and American navies. The vessels
which Congress has just authorized will
cost $274, 900, 900, but any Of them might
save the country that sum In an emer-
gency."
X y X
A different view is presented by the
Houston Chronicle: THE peace forces
of the Nation will have to launch a
counter-offensive If they expect to edu-
cate the people of this country and
others In the belief that wars can be
averted If sanity and common sense are
just now the admirals play
and the people pay. That is what |
happened years ago when Great Britain |
and Germany started to say TO each