Evening star., 1936-05-02
Parity Navies.

AS Lney are mutually cOUlInlIVeu 70
maintenance of parity, it is an appro-
pirate coincidence that Great Britain
and the United States should simultane-
ously disclose their respective naval
building programs for the next year.
While Parliament was being informed
that British requirements call for roundly
$400 100000, the House Appropriations
Committee reported the largest American
peacetime Navy budget in history, aggre-
eating $531 ,068,707 OF paramount in
terest is the provision in each program
of funds for beginning construction OF
two battleships. The British, in addi-
ton, will lay down five cruisers, two of
the 9,000-ton class and three of smaller
type; nine destroyers, one aircraft car
rier, four submarines, six sloops and
various special service vessels. Alto
gether, the program comprehendS thirty
eight ships. representing the biggest
British construction scheme since naval
competition was checked in 1922. The
admiralty also seeks $50,000,000 to con-
tinue present precautionary" measures
in the Mediterranean and to strengthen
naval bases abroad. The keels Of the
battleships will be laid early in 1887. fol-
lowing expiration of the Washington
treaty on December 81 next.
The record expenditure proposed for
the United States is in consonance with
this country's declared policy to have
and support "a navy second to none"
The House committee has in mind "a
navy afioat of treaty proportions in all
combatant categories, an air force OF
requisite size for employment there
with, necessary auxiliary vessels and a
properly distributed and implemented
supporting shore establishment" Com
plete treaty status is contemplated by
1912
With that goal in view, it is proposed,
along with initial work on two replace
ment battleships, to continue construc-
tion Of eighty-four vessels Of various
types, to lay down twelve new destroyerS
and six submarines, to provide 333 air
planes, to increase enlisted naval per-
sonnel from $500 to 100000, with 5000
additional next year, and to raise en-
listed Marine personnel from 5000 to
1900, with 500 more next year.
As to battleship replacement, the Ap-
propriations Committee points out that
"our Government, which has taken the
lead in moves to contribute to mainte-
nance OF general peace and reduce the
burdens of competition in armaments,
should be the last to take the initiative,
but neither should we permit ourselves
to become laggards again, as was the
case following the Washington treaty
Of 1922"
Heavy as is the cost Of naval pre-
paredness-estimated cost of 35,o00-ton
battleships is upward Of $5l,ooo,oo0
apiece-the American people cannot be
too often reminded that it is inexpensive
national life insurance, considering the
vast interests at stake. With the Eng
lish-shooting" navies firmly attached to
the principle of non-competition, there
is slight danger that either of them will
ever seek to renew the building race, or
resort to any policies conducive to a dis
turbance Of their friendly relations or
world peace. In the case of Britain and
America alike, projected naval expendi-
ture represents the minimum requisite
to national security amid menacing con-
ditions on both sides Of the globe.