Evening star., 1933-06-24

Announcement by the Government
that it will spend s238,0OO,o00 in build
ing 80 warships. using funds allotted to
the work of Unemployment, arouseS
some controversy because of its rela-
ton to national defense Some Ameri-
cans welcome the proposal because the
country has failed to keep up to its
treaty strength; others view 1t as likely
to be regarded as a challenge by other
nations. There is however, general
agreement that industry will derive
much benefit through these expendl-
lures, which will be largely for labor.
1T marks an end of the long vacil-
lation on this national policy" says the
Charleston IS. c. Evening Post, OBJ
serving that the Navy has been al
lowed to fall far below the strength 1t
should have for national security The
Post argues further: 1T is imperative
that we should maintain an adequate
Navy and our right to do so is fully
conceded by other nations which have
kept their sea strength up to treaty
limits In the program Of public works
which the administration Is laying
down it is eminently proper that thus
naval construction should be included.
ONLY the most fanatical pacif1St could
see in it any threat of warllke pur-
pose"
Secretary Swanson is quoted by the
San Antonio Express as stating tnat
"35 per cent of the money used In
naval construction is paid for LABOR
and that the warship building Will be
distributed among as many yaroS aS
possible and will be pushed rapidly
The Express also explains the SITUATION
as II now exists: Should all those YES
sells be completed by 1887. the United
State NAVY still would be below treaty
strength by l77,000 tons. DIVIDED among
s8 ships. Those ships would lnciuoe
two aircraft carriers, three hght cruls-
ers numerous deStroyers and 10 SUD-
marines. The country should ADOPT
comprehensive naval policy ano-suo-
iect to international agreements
tain an up-to-date feet equal 10 any
on the seven seas Spasmodlc navy
building is heavily costly and easlly may
excite suspicion and resentment
abroad , .. Tho
The developments indicate TO tne
peoria Star that president Roosevelt
is going to be ready for any even
tuality in his diplomatic negotiations
with the world at large. A pig SUCK
continues that paper may hasten an
ooron-nent and save Uncle Sam his
SKIRT It is to be hoped there VIII
he no need of these fighting ships, but
II there is Roosevelt is going TO nave
them on hand. Their construction VIII
bring needed employment to every
shipyard in the country and that VIII
stimulate business, to certain degree
at least" The Lowell Evening Leader
suggests that 1T looks as if We are
might not have been undertaken but
for the administration determination
to set men to work
OF the opinion that Ito strengthen
our naval forces in a period when such
activity will assist in conquerlng an
unparal lleled business depression Is
action of a very commendable charac-
ter" the Providence Journal holds that
lit is long past the time when we
should have undertaken the building
program" The Cincinnati Times-Star
contends that none OF the projects
made possible by the Federal public
works appropriation Will pay more
lasting dividends than this Navy pro-
gram" The Times-Star AYERS that
I'VE owe a debt of gratitude to Japan
if as seems likely, it was her arma-
ment demand at Geneva that has
aroused in Washington a realization Of
the Navy's plight" The Springfield
Mass Republican also comments on
the Japanese demand and points out
that the Washington treaty must be
revised three years from now" while,
lin the meantime, the Geneva Arms
Conference seems to be stalled"
The Baltimore Evening Sun calls it
"a formidable program unless war were
possibility-an outrageous waste Of
money" The Evening Sun declares
! that nations organize their industries
on a national basis because they believe
| it necessary to present a united front
to other nations" The Morgantown