Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-18

While the country is willing to en-
terrain the thought of naval parity
and recognize the validity of the treaty
requirements in armament strength, the
statement by Secretary Adams as to
future plans, calling for a Navy on a
par with that of Great Britain, is sub
iected to some criticism, Opponents OF
the idea point to the national deficit,
to the administrations demand for
economy and to the efforts that are
being made in the direction OF world
reduction of fighting equipment.
mo doubt. most informed, thoughtful
Americans, seeing that this continues
to be an armed world and that America
persists in holding aloof from the
League and the World Court" accord
ing to the Chattanooga Times. will be
inclined to approve this somewhat ag-
gresSive naval policy. But its an
nouncement is, nevertheless, somewhat
surprising, in view Of President Hoover
recent declarations on the subject OF
ornaments and the fact that general
armament reduction conference is
scheduled for next February" The
Chicago Daily News, however, recog-
nizes that the citizens of this country.
as we'll as the naval authorities, have
reason to feel keen anxiety lest the
Navy be permitted to deteriorate much
below the line Of safety The Daily
News, nevertheless, feels that III the
economic depression continues, 1t Is not
unlikely that work will be slowed down"
on naval building.
IT the disarmament conference IS
such a success as Mr.. Hoover ana
Secretary StimSon are determined 10
make it." says the Newark Evening
News, there may never be need 10
carry out this program" That paper
asks: Must the Hoover cabinet Drift
as near to the rocks as Germany and
Britain did before it learns its lesson?"
The Duluth Herald offers different
Interpretation. with the comment:
This announcement is only state
ment of the policy of the Navy De-
partment-that is to say a recitation
of its hopes Congress, in the end, will
decide the issue, and Congress will not
build a vast Navy unless it believes
that the people want it.
Referring to the utterance as a
naval publicity offensive" the Balti-
more Sun remarks Expressed another
way. it is q dedication to the Joo OF
getting out of the next Congress all the
allowances for new naval construction
that continuous and clever effort can
induce a reluctant administration ano
a Congress faced with billion dollar
deficit to sanction" The worcester
Telegram thinks that Congress may
not feel the obligation to provide the
money" and contends that there Is
no such thing as an absolute parity,
for construction itself would give us
handicap. since most of our ships
would be built in the future, taking
advantage of new theories and develop
ments"
Emphasis upon aircraft policy and
upon the fact that greater attention
than heretofore was given to the 1unc-
ton of supporting American commerce
is placed by the Davenport Democrat,
with the further declaration: mo
radical departures are to be observed
in the administrators policies as out
lined. BY some they may be regarded
as a note of warning that we must
maintain our naval strength in proper
ton to the strongest Of the other pa
lions, but even so, it Is no more than
1t should be. Preparedness Is one OF
the strongest arguments against war
It prevents, rather than encourages
conflicts between nations. The United
States must not neglect II,
1.-THE United States has never been
militaristic either in fact or desire"
says NIis 1DAIAUuAy EttN3tAts0 ANSHo. DNt
It would be mere common sennasto have
a Navy as large as our formal HRTee-
ments as to party with Britain PERMITS
us to build" The New London Day
points to the attention given to an
air program, which is preponderant n
the naval plan. and that paper finds
England and Japan going ahead with
their proera II offers the advice:
-ssIt q recalled hat the little Navy men
n Congress have been crying for years
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