Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-05-26
BY RODNEY
NEA Service Writer


NEA Service Writer
WASHINGTON-B Because the CT
villain delegates to the London naval
conference and various admirals and
other members of the big navy
group violently disagree over the
treaty that came out. OF the con-
ference doesn't necessarily mean
that either side Is all wet or given
to double dealing.
The big navy faction, which in
cludes most admirals, some sena-
tors, the william B. Shearers, the
Navy League and some OF the pro-
fessional patriots, stands at one
extreme as opposed 70 the more
violent pacifists who would have
disarmament at any price.
Little Chance Of Defeat
The delegation-a fairly strong
group, including such reasonably
able citizens as Dwight Morrow,
Secretary Of State Stimson. Sec
rotary of the Navy Adams and
Senator'S Robinson and Reed-oc-
cupies what might be considered a
middle-ground position. convinced
that 1t obtained the best possible
from the standpoint Of American
interests both with regard to ma
tional defense and international
naval limitation.
The position OF the treaty, con-
sequently. still remains so strong
that there is as yet no serious ex-
pectation that it will fail to get
the necessary two-thirds majority
in the Senate. The strategy Of the
big navy group appears to be to
load IL up with reservations.
One reservation which probably
will be proposed would give the
United States. in case Great Britain
invoked the escalator clause. the
right TO build more eight-inch-gun
cruisers regadless Of what type OF
craft Britain put her added ton
mage into. This clause now provides
that in case France increases her
fleet Britain. America and Japan
may do l~ikewise-but we and jap
an a only build in the same type
of ship that Great Britain builds.
The violent disagreement between
Rear Admiral William ". Pratt and
Rear Admiral Hilary r. Jones. re-
tired, over the relative merits Of
eight-inch gun cruisers is remin-
iscient Of the conflict often observ-
ed between expert allenists in
trials where the defense offers a
plea of insanity.
But, generally speaking, mos.
naval officers are in favor Of a big
navy against limitation. The navy
Is their business and no business
man ever wants his business cur
tailed. Naval officers spend plenty
Of their time thinking what will
happen II we ever go to war with
Great Britain or Japan. That's their
business. too. Naturally. they would
much prefer to have our navy tn a
superior position in case of war.
It's much easier to win If you're
better armed than the other fellow.
Unfortunately for the big navy
group. their extreme tactics have
been in some ~disrrepute ever since
the country learned what Mr.. Will
liam Baldwin Shearer. in the employ
Of shipbuilding companies, did at
the Geneva limitation conference
in 1927. 1t was testified that Mr..
Shearer and most Of our naval X
perts apparently agreed at the time
on the d~esirability of making that
conference ahortive. 1t was. But at
London Mr.. Shearer was not In
sight and there was no dominating
group OF admirals to spoil the show.
Now, apparently. some of them hope
to spoil 1t in Washington.
AT London everybody seems to
have given up something. AS a re-
suit there are Squawks from the
British big navy boys in Parlia-
ment and the Japanese big navy
oys at Toxic, as we'll as our own
super-patriots in Washington. For
instance. we gave England supe-
riority In small cruisers and she
gave US superiority in big cruisers.
We gave Japan better rations on
auxiliary craft than she had on
capital ships. but not enough TO
et anyone imagine that she could
wage an offensive war against our
western coast.
Not Much Difference
Senator Reed showed irrefutably
In his examination Of Admiral
Jones that the navy's general board
had agreed last September 10 a
division OF the cruiser fleet between
the sfx-fnch and eizht-inch cruie-