Evening star., 1938-04-03
DEFICITS DEBATED
Senator Byrd, in Atlantic Monthly, Denies
Paper Theory of Federal Expense.
Magazine Study of Navy's Place.

lngtonlan, and author of the re-
Gently published magnificent History
OF the United States Navy" also writes
in this months Atlantic. His article is
called Peace and the Navy" and, like
Senator Byrds. 1t contains some clear
and understandable facts on a matter
about which most of us talk a great
deal without possessing corresponds
Ing amount Of knowledge. That matter
Is the present condition of our Navy
and the controversy over the desira-
bility OF strong building program.
Capt. Knox makes it clear that the
new program will do no more than
maintain the Navy in its former rela.
ton to the sea forces of other powers,
that relation which was established by
the 5-5-3 agreement of 1922.
Because other nations have recently
projected increases in the total size of
their navies," he states, lit is necessary
Tor us to do likewise if the traditional
proportions of strength relative to
them are to be preserved. Obviously
the aggressive implications that have
been assumed in certain quarters are
quite unwarranted. We are merely
catching up with others who have
already set the pace"
And for those who hold that reduc-
ton OF armed forces necessarily leads
10 world peace he goes into a little
remembered aspect of the present
struggle between Japan and China.
Under the naval limitation treaties of
ls22-3o and the Kellogg pact, he re-
minds us, the United States led the
way IN sacrificing naval strength in
the nope that her example would be
generally followed
IL was noble GESTURE writes Cant.
Knox, made in the hope of promoting
world peace generally. But it also had
specifically in view the permanent set
tlement Of the chronically vexatious
situation respecting China. During the
world War Japan had seized a large
section OF that unhappy country, and
her '2l demands. giving control over
the Chinese government, were in force
by virtue Of a large army of occupa-
tion. The Naval Limitations Treaty
was one of a group of treaties and
agreements under which Japan con-
sented to evacuate China and joined
with us and seven other nations in
categorically guaranteeing the political
and territorial integrity of China In the
future.
In effect, therefore, the price OF our
naval sacrifices. which
would make 1t impossible for us to at
TACK Japan, or even to interfere with
her future In the Orient, was. her
promise to restore China to the Chin
ese and to refrain from future aeeres-
SION against that weak giant of a
wen. OF course. it is immensely d.
vertlng to see how that bit of idealism
turned out. When our naval forces
had been so reduced that it became
that we would do more than
protest, If that, Japan simply repudi.
ated her part Of the agreement Tc
which Capt Knox sapiently remarks
'unquestionably force is necessary
handmaiden to successful diplomacy
IN this troubled world"
After giving a highly enlighteniny
'eVleW OF naval strength in relation
% peace generally the article makes
suggestion as to the present Oriental
;rouble.
"A naval demonstration" II saws
IN overwhelming force-such as, for
example, the combined fleets of Eng
land France and the United States
could unquestfona bly, settle the Asiatic
problem on terms satisfactory to the
western world, and without war
Japan's position in China is vulnerable
IN the extreme to threat Of superior
seapower
"A diplomatic demand for the
evacuation Of China, backed by greatly
fleets, would therefor
leave Japan no choice but to COM
ply y And the article conclude
With the warning. Without a settle
ment by some such pacific means as
suggested the danger of widespread
war arising out of the ferment IN
China will surely be chronic for many
years.
1t should be remarked, incidental,
that Capt. Knox scouts the idea Sc
sealthily persistent in some quarter;
that our Navy may have some sor-
o1 understanding with the British
Navy for joint action in Asia or else
This notion, he saws. "ls
scarcely worthy of answer to any orc
possessing even rudimentary know
edge OF our form and method G.
government In democrat
state policies are d.
termined exclusively by civilian r.
litical officials-in the White House, j.,
Congress and in the State Denar
ment. The Navy acts only in az
cordance with such policies and und-~
the direction of its constitution
commander in chief. the President"
Though this would seem to be, A
Capt. Knox says, rudimentary bit
Of knowledge concerning our Govern
ment, there has still been a surprising
amount Of writing lately to the effect
that the American Navy could be used
quite at will by British authorities
in the event of war in the Far Eas..
There is some satisfaction, therefore,
in seeing the "fanciful suggestion
ounctured from an authoritative
source.
IN THE most recent issue OF the
Colophon, that quarterly devoted
% the interests of book collectors.
here is an article by Washing
tonian, Mr.. Cedric Larson of the staff
If the Library Of Congress. Mr.. Lar
ION has chosen for his subject The 4
Rising Tide of Genealogical Publca-
IONS" Mr.. Larson. investigating the
held of pedigree-devoted periodicals,
las discovered that the interest of
Americans in their ancestors is Of such
ervent quality that it hourishes in
III economic weathers.
ITO the uninitiated." he remarks,
'pedigree-building might be held tn
,e a luxury only for the rich, to be
during periods of prosperity,
,ut the facts point to the reverse
II this assumption. For, 1t seems,
II hnyioh r., IoooI>