THE AMERICAN CLAIM

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 66, 18 March 1921, Page 7

THE AMERICAN CLAIM

SPEECH BY FIRST LORD OF THE

ADMIRALTY.

(qNITIB M«!B ASSOCIATION.—COMRwrfI.)

(ASITKAUAII ■ itlW IBAIAKB CAIM AIIOCIATISM.) LONDON, 17th March.

Lord' Lee, First Lord of the Admiralty, in a speech at the naval architects' dinner, said that America's claim to maintain a navy equal to the British was one ■which Britain had never expected in the past, and would not expect save from a great nation sprung from British loins, which must always hold a great place in our regard .and confidence. We had twice in a most formal way affirmed our expedients for a one-Power standard. The difference in the British and American formulae was too slight to become the subject of controversy, much less of friction. He disagreed with those who said that the question should not be discussed because war with America was unthinkable. Wars would not become impossible because people did not think about them. We should think day and night with the fixed intention of making •war impossible. If war arose, it would be the fault of blind or criminal statesmanship.