The Key West citizen., 1938-12-10


larity of this country is at a new
peak among the peoples of the
various countries. Moreover, it
is inevitable that the rulers of the
twenty-one republics are con-
scious of the troubled condition
of world affairs and somewhat
apprehensive of the aggressive
policies of several nations. They
are well aware of their own i'm
ability to protect their continent
from attack and realize the me-
cessity, solely on the basis of
their own self-interest, of closer
ties with the United States.
As the year 1888 comes to a
close, it is easily apparent that
the great powers of the world
are engaged in an armaments
race and the only supposition is
that they expect to have a war.
Of course, all these nations pre-
tend that they want peace, if pos
sible, and that they intend to de-
fend their country. Back of these
words, which are the same in
democratic and totalitarian states,
are actions which disclose clearer
than words the intent of the gov
erning group in the various ma
tions. It is plain that Germany,
Italy, and Japan are arming be-
cause they are dissatisfied with
their lot in the world and because
they intend to use their army,
navy and air forces to get what
lhey think they are entitled to.
Approaching our Christmas
season, we are conscious of an
absence of respect for interna-
tional law and order and the
menace of might, when uncop-
trolled, to all peoples. Believing
in the democratic form of govern
ment it is natural that the peo-
pie of the United States are in
terested in the world situation
and they are concerned lest Ger
many, Italy and Japan, the allied
aggressor nations, secure a pre-
ponderance of strength that will
encourage them to attempt bold
er aggressionS in the future.
Much interest is being taken in
the naval armaments race be-
tween the maritime nations, and
while official information is not
always available, some estimate
of the present situation is pos
sible. Recently, the Intelligence
Division of the United States
Navy gave out some figures for
the United States, Great Britain,
France, Italy and Germany-the
figures for Japan since Decein-
Der 81, 1886, have not been avail
able.
Generally speaking the demo-
cracies are well in the lead in the
naval race, with the United
States, Great Britain and France
having a three-to-one advantage
oyer Germany and Italy and
probably two-to-one advantage
if Japan's sea forces are added to
those of the European allies.
Excluding Japan, the five ma
tions have under construction,
1921, ,470 tons of combatant war
ships, including Is battleships, IL
aircraft carriers, 38 heavy and
light cruisers, l59 destroyers and
80 submarines. Of the IS battle
ships known to be under con-
struction or appropriated for,
Great Britain has seven, the
United States six, France five,
Italy four and Germany three.
The japanese, it is believed, are
building three battleships.
u - sr
AT the present time, the fight
ing tonnage of the six big navies,
is about 6,70O,000, with the Brit
ish having 2,I33,64S and the
United States l,618,085, total of
3,75l,733 tons for the great Eng
lish-speaking nations. The French
tonnage is estimated at around
100000 and Italy and Germany
together have about 1883, 900
tons. Japan. at the end of 1886,
had 100000 tons and today prob
ably boasts of around 1900, 900
tons of fighting warships.