The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-26
SATURDAY ARC IS i91s
FOREIGN NAVY PROPAGANDA

FOREIGN NAVY PROPAGANDA
THE anticipated naval propaganda from
abroad has begun. According 70 London
and Tokia dispatches. the peace loving British
and japanese governments are forced 70
enlarge their navies 70 keep up with the
Roosevelt building program.
No one wlll take that sort Of propaganda
very seriously outside of Britain and Japan,
but to keep the record straight 1t perhaps is
worth while 10 repeat that the Roosevelt
building program is under the quota agreed 70
by the London and Toxic governments, and
that the Roosevelt program was launched, not
before, but long after those foreign powers
had been building new ships
Hector C Bywater. generally recognized as
the leading British naval writer, in a Daily
Telegraph Of London article predicting
British building program Of twenty-five
cruisers. fifteen to eighteen new destroyers
annually and other naval units in proportion,
says
Little hope nov remains that naval
ornaments can be graduated By treaties The
sole effect OF these 10 date has been 70
emasculate the British navy and rejuvenate
all the other fleets. II Is felt indeed. that the
latest American and Japanese programs have
administered a death-blow to naval limitation
by agreement
There are several adequate answers to the
foreign charge that the United States is
wrecking the hopes of disarmament But we
can pass over the pertinent facts that the
belated American building program will not
bring the American navy up to the treaty
quota and that congress specifically provided
in the building authorization for suspension of
construction in event Of a new limitation
treaty.
We even can ignore the vital fact that the
United States for ten years has urged and
urged in vain the foreign powers 10 accept any
kind of actual disarmament.
Forget all the past and the mutual Jockey
ing Of the naval powers for position. discount
all the big navy propaganda in all countries
including the United States, and Judge the
United States and the other powers solely on
the basis of present policy
The United States government has made
standing offer to dsarm by agreement as
much any other nation at any time. That
is the test Disarmament is not a matter OF
talk. but Of action
Disarmament admits OF no alibi If the
other nations sincerely want JOINT naval
reduction. they have only to accept our offer.
It Is significant that America has been most
anxious for disarmament TO avoid naval race.
which America, as the worlds richest nation
probably could win But Americas pleas for
ten years have failed. What more can
America do?
America can not force disarmament upon
the other powers by talk America can not
even force arms limitation on the other powers
by example. when We refrained from building
Up 10 our treaty quota. the others ignored our
example and went on building.
Doubtless the large navy policies OF the
other powers are dictated less b. outright
militarism than by fears resulting from the
temporary breakdown of the worlds peace
machinery
Here is opportunity for the peace groups
Of this and other countries. Their leadership
is waning
Obviously the cause Of world peace is being
retarded oy the inability Of peace proponents
to get together on a common program. In
this country. as in others. one group still has
faith IN and desires 10 work through A
revtalized League Of Nations
Another group believes that virtually all
peace moves since the Great war have been
along the wrong lines and should be junked
Meanwhile, the desire for peace. the dread
OF war. growS among the people The people
want to work for peace. to make their efforts
count; but they do not know how.
The time has come for peace organizations
here and abroad TO rise above their petty
squabbles. 10 get tc~sther in a united front
against the forces OF world Chauvtnisr and
militarisFn.
Such a united front for peace would not
only deserve. but would receive. the active
cooperation Of the United sta.os government
M