Evening star., 1933-12-04
been attempting things that would have
For a Treaty Navy.

Coincident with Gen. Douglas Mac
Arthurs- plea for an adequate Army,
Secretary Swanson in his annual report
calls in vigorous terms for United
States Navy built up to full treaty
limits by the end of 1886. Pointing out
that this country alone has not under
taken an orderly construction plan de-
signed to give us the feet to which we
are entitled, Mr.. Swanson emphasizes
that 'our weakened position does not
serve the cause of peace. 1t jeopardizes
it, because balanced armament fortifies
diplomacy and is an important element
in preserving peace and justice, whereas
undue weakness invites aggressive, war
breeding violation of ones rights"
There is no challenging the funda-
mental soundness of the principles here
set down. Equally logical is the con-
tention that there is no economy in
our example of disarmament which has
not been followed by others" The Sec
retary of the Navy recalls our expensive
building program in the midst of the
World War-construction Of large
numbers of ships, few of which were
ready for use before the war ended.
THE Nations first line of defense can
not be improvised overnight" Mr..
Swanson explains, following that terse
reminder with a statement that even
including the present building program,
the United States would still have to
construct 101 additional ships to be
at full treaty strength by December,
1896, when existing agreements expire.
The Secretary also recommends bring
ing the total of enlisted men to $4,000,
an increase of $500. and of the Marine
Corps to 17,oGo, an increase of 1000.
The facts and figures adduced by Mr..
Swanson deserve the prompt and favor
able consideration of Congress and the
country International conditions, in
whichever direction America turns her
gaze, do not encourage mankind's hopes
for a world in which war shall be no
more The League of Nations hapless
efforts 10 achieve disarmament are
virtually at an end. The very exist
ence OF the League as a peace -preSerV-
ing agency is menaced by its demon
JtIllCQ fulllltJ. TIC pTr0cnt year nav
seen the detection of Japan and Ger
many from its ranks The current
week may record the withdrawal of
Italy. Soviet Russia and the United
States continue to boycott the Wilsonian
ideal at Geneva, as far as formal men,
bership is concerned.
There are multiplying signs that the
nations must be prepared, as of yore, to
rely upon their own resources for the
safety and protection of all they hold
dear-national honor, territory, inter-
national rights and overseas trade. In
the case of the United States, irrevoc-
ably dedicated to the works of peace as
the American people are, the vast in
terests we have at stake leave us but
one sensible course, that which is SO
viNdly urged by Secretary Swanson
the creation and maintenance of a
Navy second to none. That recovered
prosperity, toward the attainment of
which every ounce of national energy
is being spent, will be an illusory thing
if we do not provide for its security
from external danger beyond peradven-
ture of all doubt. AS to recovery and
prosperity, not the least significant of
Mr.. Swanson's statements is that a
progressive building program means
steady employment for thousands of
workmen, who receive eighty-five per
cent of all the moneys spent on naval
construction.
A treaty Navy means peace and
prosperity. 1t should be built with the
least possible delay.