The Omaha guide., 1939-02-25

her traditional policy Of "hands-
off Europe Dr.. Harry Williams OF
the University Of Omaha thinks
present plans fer a larger var ma
chine and the Presidents secret
diplomacy are steps N the wrong
direct on.
Scoring present demands for in
creased armaments, tie professor
of history and government said a
nations defense policy should 60
hand-in-hand with its foreign po-
lic;.
Officially, he pointed out, despite
the President's secret deals with
the French and British, the United
States is committed to a policy of
defense.
"Jf our policy is aimed only at
defending ourselves, # we have no
intention of joining other countries
in a program of collective security,
then the United States doesn't need
a large army or navy or air force.
"On the other hand, if we are
abandoning our hands-off Europe
policy and are preparing to cooper
ate with the democracies of Eu-
rope-I prefer to call them the
western mperialists-then the
President is correct in asking for
Increased ornaments and in extend
az aid to Britain and France"
DIR Williams. however, IS oppos-
ID to United States participation
n a collective security pact with
she Chamberlain and Daladier go
vernments. He favors an armament
program designed solely for defen-
sive purposes. If other states want
American goods, let them come and
get the goods on a cash-and-carry
basis, says he.
Mainstay of Professor Williams
defense program, designed to pro
tect both American continents from
European or Asiatic aggression,
would be IAN adequate savy.' His
is essentially the same proposal
for relying on naval strength as
that of George Fielding Eliot, mill
tary expert and author recently OF
the book, "The Ramparts We
Watch"
DR.. Williams doesn't say exactly
how large q defensive navy should
be. but he thinks it should be "near
the top az compared with the
strength Of other naval powers. He
admits that If the United States
contemplates an aggressive war a
gainst another sea power, then a
defense navy might be too small.
Tho historian believes good ma
val bases are "tAe first line OF
American defense; hence he lays
particular stress upon them as part
of his Hypothetical armament pro-
gram. II the pacific island of Guam
were fortified, Japan might be
afraid to attack us, he stated. On
a previous occasion the mere threat
TO fortify Guam kept Japan from
building up her navy.
DIR. Williams is convinced that
lhere is no need for a two-squad-
o navy at the present time. Since
Germany and Italy are not naval
powars. he sees no possible threat
in the Atlantic. In the Pacific, the
United States can readily defend
herself against Japan.
"a second canal, probably
through Nicaragua, would be good
insurance against possible mishap
to the Panama Canal. Cost of a
new canal might be just as great
as a second fleet; but it woull be
q more valuable peace-time ascot
and a better investment since bat
tleships become obsolete but canals
10 not"
The University of Omaha profess
jor turned thumbs down on a large
ain fleet and a large standing
army.
"Such a large air force as the
President proposes-to consist of
eight or nine thousand pl%anes-is
absolutely unnecessary for our de-
Tense. We should limit our air
strength to about five thousand
planes and make provision for re-
gular requirements. Also our fac
tories should be prepared to turn
planes out rapidly in event of war.
1.-THE danger of a large peace
time air force is that it becomes
obsolete within a few years New
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