Evening star., 1933-11-17

Relations Of the American naval feet
to diplomatic affairs among the nations
Is debated as orders are issued from
washington for the greater number of
the ships now In the Pacific to make
a cruise to the Atlantic within the COM
ing year.
1T has been no secret" according to
the Los Angeles Times. "that the fleet
was sent here and kept here because
of the troubled state of the Orient.
Not that it was a threat to anybody,
but merely common-sense precaution
against any contingency, however un-
likely, which might arise. If that pos
sihiltty has now become such an I'M
probability as to make the fleets con-
tinuous presence on this side of the
Panama Canal unnecessary, it Is q cause
for satisfaction. not only to the Pacific
Coast but to the whole country. If,
on the other hand, 1t is q political
move. intended to remove an inter-
national obstruction from the path of
recognition Of Russia, its wisdom is
doubtful and the other itself decidedly
open to misconstruction. Establishment
Of commercial and other relations with
the Soviet government ought to stand
its own merits, If it has any, without
apologies to ANYBODY"
Emphasizing the relations between
this country and Japan. the Detroit
News AYERS that President Roosevelt
has made far-sighted gesture Of good
viii toward Japan, which, though it
may displease the militarists of that
country, will be appreciated by those
peace and good relations" The Charles
ton Evening Post feels that "the CO.
incidence Of the American announce
ment and of the report of q more
friendly disposition of Japan toward
the United States is interesting" That
paper makes the suggestion, however,
that "it would seem that there might
be more equitable permanent distri-
button OF the ships, with alterations
OF units or squadrons in Eastern and
Western waters. rather than q full con-
centration in either the Atlantic or the
Pacific"
"A considerable part of the fleet, at
least" in the judgement of the Hart
ford Times, could be transferred to
the Atlantic without endangering in
any important degree the national
safety. 1t would offer economies in
maintenance. 1t would end q one
sided policy, whatever its past justifi-
cations may have seemed It would
facilitate the progress Of much desired
improved relations with Japan and
have tangible effect in ameliorating
the uneasy international tension which
has been proving to be a distinct de-
terrent to the advance of the world
effort at arms limitation and to the
subsidence Of imperialistic propaganda
In Europe as well as In Asia"
There Is no ground for seeking to
read into these ORDERS" advises the
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, reasons
Of international policy or indications Of
q change in international policy" The
Bulletin points out that an advantage
gained by this country from the con-
struction Of the Panama Canal was
the fact that It makes possible the easy
transfer of the main body of the
Nations naval forces from one ocean
to another, thus greatly decreasing the
number Of vessels and the accompany
ing expenditure that would be required
II separate fleets had regularly TO be
maintained in each ocean" The Bulle-
tin recalls that "the people Of the
Pacific Coast have been keen to have
the feet based on their side of the
country, and exerted continuing pres
sure for its retention"
Perhaps the Government Is not un-
willing to make q gesture as evidence
OF the fact 1t anticipates no trouble In
this Western sea-" thinks the Oakland
Tribune, with the comment that what