Evening star., 1932-08-27

ments: "The port Of Taranto, where
naval arsenal is maintained, Is di-
vided into two harbors. Like Spezia,
it is strongly fortified and probably
could resist siege for several months.
1t was off Taranto that the feet, in
the most extensive maneuvers since the
war, was reviewed by King Victor
Emmanuel just before the announce
ment of the changes. (.
This reorganization of the Italian
Navy is judged by the Springfield. .
(MasS.) Daily Republican as having
registered a further protest against
the continuation of the heavy battle
ship, for which the United States Is
now largely responsible and increases
the pressure for the eventual abandon
ment of that type" But this paper
also argues that "the factor which
chiefly discounts the Importance OF the
Italian program Is that 1t in no way
lessons the equipment of light, extreme
ly fast cruisers on which the Italians
have been placing an increasing de-
pendence while declining to exercise
their right. under the treaty of Wash
ington, to build additional vessels OF the
heavy battleship type" This paper
estimates the whole thing "as a diplo-
matte move in anticipation Of the re-
sumption of the disarmament confer
ence at Geneva"
THE new program, though, does not
mean that Italy is weakening seriously
her sea strength" points out The
Charleston (W. Va) Daily Mail, pictur-.
ing that nation as having under way "a
comprehensive construction plan under
which 80, 900 tons of new ships will be
commissioned this year. $4,000 tons
next year and the balance OF her 1OO,-
000-ton program in 1884 and 1885.
Completion of this program and the
retirement of all old ships will leave
Italy with force of 100000 tons OF
postwar destroyers, cruisers and sub
marines" explains the Daily Mail. As
the Indianapolis News sees it: "Of
course, there is no thought on the part
of Italy of abandoning reasonable con-
ception of defense or preparedness. She
merely has recognized fiscal realities,
and, in effect, has invited all nations to
do the same when they reassemble at
Geneva" One thing about the reduc-
ton contemplated Is noted by the New
ark Evening News in it's comment. "A
hopeful thing about Italy's move is that
such steps are not often retraced. They
are more likely TO mark the beginning
Of a general move, other nations fol-
lowing the example. If armaments
Uullt up UJ OIlC lldblOll huNdIlS1Ak8 .
bit, then another going ahead, and so
on, It should be possible to step them
down, if the courage can be found, by
one after another retreating a few
PAGES So, whether economy or some
other motive explains the cutting down,
1t Is to be welcomed as an example and
precedent that may become conta-
gious."
Credit Is being given Italy by the press
of this country for having Immediately
endorsed the American proposal at the
last Geneva conference to reduce arn1a-
ments by at least one-third," in the
words of the Providence Journal, not
ing that Italys present program comes
at time when the world needs fresh
reminder Of the economic necessity for
arranging permanent curtailment Of
navies by International agreement" The
Chicago Daily News pictures Italy as
finding 1t impossible and unnecessary
to await arms reduction at Geneva. 1t
Is forced to act alone. But other ma
tions, still harping on security and
other conditions precedent, may have to
follow the example of Italy II they per-
sist much longer in placing obStcleas in
the way of statesmen desirous Of limit
ing ornaments under equitable COM
pactS. and saving billions of dollars Of
taxpayers money" Similarly speaks
the Port Huron Times Herald: 1T
may also be taken as a pretty broad
hint to the other nations that there is
good deal of bunk In the idea that
they must keep up a pretty good navy
in order 10 be ready to repel attack by
the rest Of the world Italy has taken
a bold step, probably more than meet
ing the provisions Of the Hoover dis
armament proposals"