THE AMERICAN NAVY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 January 1938, Page 6

THE AMERICAN NAVY

THE news that the United States have spent the equivalent of nearly 300 million pounds sterling on their navy during the last five years, indicates the uncertainty with which the Americans regard the political outlook of the world. However, it is to be noted that Uncle Sam’s navy is based on ports in the extreme north of Alaska and on Pearl Harbour in the Hawaiian Islands, and that it is in the North Pacific that he fears aggression. In plain words, Japan’s rapacious policy in China has awakened the American Government to the danger there is that the Japanese navy should endeavour to extend its sphere of influence from waters immediately surrounding the islands surrounding Japan to the China Sea on the one hand, and the North I Pacific on the other. This is a [situation which must necessarily I awaken apprehension in the [United States. Hence the concentration of the American navy, as indicated. Simultaneously the | British Government is completing at Singapore comprehensive [measures for accommodating at I that port and naval base str.ong aerial and naval forces. The base is shortly to be opened and American warships will attend the ceremony. It is evident that if in certain circumstances the American and British Governments were to deem it necessary to act simultaneously, they might seriously cripple Japan’s trade with ports outside the limited area under her control, and bring about [her prostration, in an economic sense. It is not to be supposed that such a step is imminent, or even contemplated, but in some quarters it is suggested that it might ultimately be taken in order to preserve China’s indepemdence, and to prevent Japan from permanently establishing herself in that country and seeking to extend her campaign of conquest.