Evening star., 1938-09-02
An Atlantic Squadron.

Because of critical conditions in Eu-
rope. more than ordinary Importance
attaches to the Navy Departments de-
clslon, announced today, to form "a tenn
porary Atlantic squadron for service in
the Atlantic Beyond that laconic state
ment and the explanation that the
squadron will consist of fourteen new
ships-seven cruisers and seven DESTROY
ers-no inkllng is conveyed as to the
underlying purpose of an unduestion-
ably significant deployment of American
naval strength.
The timing of the squadrons forma-
ton is not without omen 1t will be Gre
ated on September 6, which happens to
be the day on which Chancellor Hitler
Is expected, before the Nazi party con-
gress at Nuremberg, to deliver himself of
an utterance which may determine
whether Europe is to have peace or war.
1t is virtually at the same moment that
the British Navy will take up war stations
in the North Sea, off the coast of Scot
land, for ostensible routine practice pur-
poses.
A squadron of seven 100O0-ton cruisers
and as many modern type destroyers is
not, OF course, an armada capable of
offering resistance to an enemy fleet
attacking in force. The temporary"
squadron, too, is inconsiderable in power,
compared to that of the United States
Fleet, which is stationed in the Pacific
and is not scheduled to maneuver in the
Atlantic until next February. During
the ensuing spring months the fleet will
visit the New York Worlds Fair and
then return to the West Coast in time
to render similar honors at the San
Francisco Exposition.
Yet, following so closely public pro-
nouncements of President Roosevelt and
Secretary Hull, reafiirming American
allegiance to the rule of law, order and
reason In international affairs instead of
the reign OF force personif1ed by aggres-
sor nations, it would be idle to under
estimate the true inwardness of the At
lantic squadron plan. AS the squadrons
Temporary" status will not be abolished
until 1t joins the United States Fleet and
goes to the Pacific in the summer of 1899,
the combined new cruiser DESTROYER
group will be in eastern waters for
roundly three-quarters of the next year.
Thus. for the first time since the bulk
of American sea power was transferred
to the West Coast, warships will be on
duty in the Atlantic. Official denials
here to the contrary Notwithstanding,
European foreign Offices, general staffs
and navy departments are not likely to
misinterpret the meaning Of that news.
AS for the United States, satisfaction
will be general that so graphic method
has been devised at a psychological mo-
ment to evince American realization
that should war in Europe break out this
fall or winter, elementary considerations
of national defense dictate such gesture
Of preparedness.
1t was barely month ago that Goer-e
Ing sent us surprise visitor in the guise
of German transport plane capable of
making a Berin-New York nonstop
round-trip flight within fifty hours. Nor
Is it forgotten that German subma-
rines also turned up unawares on our
East Coast on both peaceful and bellig-
erent occasions during our World War
neutrality. 1t is altogether gratifying to
learn that Rear Admiral Todd, COM
manding force of fourteen splendid
new men-of-war, will be on guard in tine
Atlantic next Tuesday and until further
notice.