Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-26
National Defense.

More adequate national defense, in
a world filled with threats of war and
with big armies and navies, is the part
OF wisdom for America. 1t is true
that the latest and greatest war had
its origin outside of the United States
and was waged for nearly three years
before this country was drawn into it.
That is no assurance that the next
war Will not Immediately involve this
country. So the passage of the naval
appropriation bill by the Senate, pro-
viding for the administration naval
building program. is a matter of salts
faction. The measure already has
passed the House. The House cut in
half the appropriation proposed for
new construction and the Senate re-
stored nearly all Of it. The reduction
made III the House was with the I'M
Outstanding that, should the President
consider it 10 the best interest OF the
country, deficiency appropriation
could be asked of Congress next jan
Cary 10 press forward with the work
On the other hand, it was argued, if
the maritime nations are able to come
to another agreement for naval limi-
tation. then part of the money would
be saved.
Unless there is a marked change in
the situation, the chances of a con-
ference for the further limitation of
naval ornaments are slim. Without
such conference, the London naval
agreement lapses the first of next
year. The Washington naval treaty
also comes to an end, although it will
continue in effect for another two
years unless the treaty is meanwhile
denounced by the signatories. At
preliminary conference participated in
by the United States, Great Britain
and Japan the demand made by
Japan for naval parity with the United
States and Great Britain proved a
stumbling block. The 5-5-3 ratio of
naval strength was set for the three
nations in the Washington treaty and
preserved in principle in the London
treaty.
The first great gesture for naval
arms limitation was made by the
United States in 1921 when it invited
the powers to send delegates to the
Washington Conference. At that time
agreements were entered into in re-
gard to capital ships-battleships and
battle cruisers-and airplane carriers.
There were certain other limitations
and agreements, including an agree
ment on the part of the United States
not to proceed with greater fortifica-
tons in the Philippine Islands. These
agreements all fall if the Washington
treaty is denounced.
1t was the hope of the United States
that this treaty, and the example set
by this country, would lead the world
onward to limitation of ornaments.
1t was a magnificent hope. 1t thrilled
war worn world. Unfortunately,
however, as the years have run on
the nations have turned more and
more to ornaments because of dis
turbed conditions. The United States
alone of all the great nations Jagged
in the matter Of ornaments and
national defense. 1t did not build its
Navy up to treaty strength. When
the London Conference was held this
country was no longer in a position
to demand Of others that ornaments
be reduced, as it was in 1922. Had
it kept the Navy up to treaty strength,
the question of naval ratios with
Japan would not, in all probability,
have become a disturbing one.
The naval building program of the
United States should be regarded as
a threat to no nation. This country
seeks no war. 1t Is a notice, how
ever, that America intends to be
prepared if war is forced upon it.