The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-12-12
By WILLIAM D.. BAkRfr1
author 81


4 - 4AAAhA u AAtaA NAAt ~ IL
ISL letter 10 Santa Claus.
which Lord Lothian carried
back TO the United States, in
cludes a request for three
United States battleShips. six
cruisers and 100 destroyerS.
Presumably. the William Al
len White committee and the
other let-uS-S strip America
committees will 90 to work
Immediately upon the fulfill
ing of this order.
At this stage Of the game II
may not yet he considered IN
patriotic 10 suggest few ques-
tions in connection with this ex-
pressed need ~ Great Britain.
The fact that We cannot afford
10 reduce our navy in any such
fashion is obvious We are en-
gagged IN = rearmamsnt program
for nstiosl defense and supposedly
working st breakneok speed 10
this end II would take years of
fast running 10 arrive back at the
point We occupy at present II this
British order Is filled
The friends of Britain. however.
can be depended upon to sell us
the IDEA that We are not really
giving anything away. but merely
making a lean to friend who is
fighting our war for US and pro-
tecting our shores.
1T Il Too bad"
II is too bad that our friendly
protector WAS unable TO look ahead
and anticipate this moment In
1927 an American secretary of
state WAS engaged in an idealistic
venture with Great Britain and
France, out Of which he visuslized
a pact 10 outlaw war.
While thus engaged and while
our esteemed allies of the World
war were paying lip service 10 our
ideslism, Great Britain and France
concluded secret agreement
whereby each nation pledged itself
70 advocate a reduction in those
types of warships most useful 10
the United States. while sdvocat-
ing an increase in the ratio Of
those ships most useful to them.
In those days Great Britain was
not greatly concerned about
beaten. beggared and disarmed
Germany. but Great Britain, which
has become the noble defender
Of the western hemisphere. was
quite worried about the arrogance
Of the United States as a competi-
tor In the words of Lord Hal
dane:
Interests Conflicted
Europe can no longer be con
sidered an adequate market for
British production, so we are
turning to South America. And
HfAf ~ hH'it Alf hlAfftNAN vi
Britain and the United States come
into direct conflict
-.
What will happen in case both
Britain and the United States are
firm and unyielding Do not for
get that economic riyalries are IN.
underlying motives OF most, !
should say all, wars shudder 10
think Of the possible consequences
The economic penetration ana
the threat 10 American interests
in Latin-America, then. was not
German. And while We listen 10
the William Allen Whites as they
sing their song Of more ships TO
Britain. we should remember that
It was only yesterday that Great
Britain was blocking the building
Of a greater American navy be
cause we were Britains rivals in
cur own hemisphere.
And. Il We win Bitsins wal
for her, who will protect our in
terests against Great Britain when
Great Britain reverts 10 type
"A Bit Of Irony"
There II no bitterness in thai
question. 1t u dictated BY a Sin
eeTe interest IN the safety snd
security q the United States
The fact That Great Britain
wants three heavy battleships now
IS another bit Of irony. A. the
Hoover disarmament eonferenc.
Great Britain lined up with Franc.
and Japan 70 outlaw n. heavy
type bsttlss1ips N. Unit.d sistss
vas planning and which the
United states needed FOR lorR
range cruising 70 the Philippines.
In those days there vas no sxis
threatening Britain IN ASS. ana
Great Brltains prime concern Nas
that there should b no stronR
United states threatening British
interests n that vast profit-yislo-
F ing continent
Today Great Britain wants our
fleet Whether you believe Great
Britain also wants mznpoWer from
the United states depends upon
whether you accept ss evidence IN.
phonogrsph recording o. Lord
Lothisns speech IN England OF
whether you accept Lord Lothisns
manuscript Of that speech.
Paving the Way
Trs Ar~er1~sr h-o-~ .r.oLs.rrsr