The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-20

70 the msn in the street the London naval con-
ference is just so much Greek Japan demands
the right to feet equal to Britains or Americas
Why shouldn't she have that right?
The answer is, she already has it. Every sover-
eign nation has the right" to an army navy or air
force big wants can pay for The real ques-
ton before the London parley therefore, is not
Japan's right" to such feet, but whether she
and the other powers will voluntarily agree to hold
their fleets down to their actual needs and thus
achieve world limitation.
Which brings us to the second point: How big
should the police force or fire department of city
be? Obviously it depends upon the size of the CITY,
how spread out it is and the nature of the Job the
patrolmen or hremen may be called on to perform
CREAT BRITAIN is an island off the coast of
~ Europe armed to the teeth France, Germany
Italy and other powers maintain sizeabe fleets A
combination of them might isolate her and starve
her to death Germany alone came near doing it
during the World War. Britain must think of these
things,
Britain likewise has major commitments all over
the globe-in India, Australia, Asia, South Africa
Canada and the Far East, The Mediterranean-Red
Sea route, cut by q hostile power or powers might
doom her empire. Protecting these interests re-
quires many ships.
The United States has two enormous coastlines
5000 miles apart to defend. Then there are Alaska
the Philippines Puerto Rico Hawaii, Panama, plus
the implied obligations under the Monroe Doctrine
and the Open Door. Were Uncle Sam stickler in
such matters-whch, fortunately he is not-he might
insist upon an Atlantic fleet big Britains and
Pacific fleet big as Japans For the Panama
Canal could easily be destroyed by an enemy before
the first shot of a war was fired
PATIENTLY then as long as the great sea powers
play the present naval game the requirements of
the United States are reasonably clear It contents
Itself with approximate parity with Britain
Japan proper is small island off the coast of
Asia. China and Russia are her nearest peighbors
Neither has feet which can be called a fleet The
closest anywhere approaching hers as to size are
those of America 5000 miles distant and Britans
10000 miles away
Nor has she any territorial interests other than
those right at her front door Why then people
the world over are asking, does she insist upon SO
mighty feet-a fleet big as Brtain's and Ameri-
cas- which the taxpayers of those far richer
countries support grumblingy?
NIPPON says national pride" requires it. That
is nonsense France, Germany Italy and other
proud nations accept even smaller navies and think
nothing of it, Were pride the yardstick they would
all insist upon ships equalng Britain's or ours For
none could be jealous of their national dignity
and prestige than they.
The real answer must perforce be sought else
where. Nor does one need to look far af1ed. Nip
pons eyes are on China and Eastern Asia Her
plan of empire expansion inevitably is fraught with
peril She feels the need of big navy to hold the
world at bay while she consummates her vast ambi-
tons.
Japans naval yardstick is something much more
practical than pride