ANOTHER RACE IN ARMAMENTS?

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 8

ANOTHER RACE IN ARMAMENTS?

In the statement by the Naval Committee of the United States Senate, concerning the implications of the measure now before Congress authorising additional construction, the opinion is expressed that its passage will have a stabilising effect on world affairs. It is difficult to follow the argument, although the citing of Japan's determination to buil. up to the limits provided by the London Naval Treaty suggests that, in the judgment of the committee, further American building should be prompted by anticipation of Japanese activity. The treaty, it is true, allowed for increases, and no objection based on this latest of naval agreements can be offered to anything cither Power cares to do within the limits thus set. It is true, also, that Japan is particularly strong in the class of scouting cruisers of the type desired by the United States, and therefore presents an inducement for further American building. But all this points to another race in naval armaments, although confined to the defined scope of a stadium. It is significant that the committee takes up a new position. longer is it a cruiser parity with Britain that is sought, but ability to withstand Japan, and the earlier contention of a need to protect external trade is displaced by a wish to confront strength v. ith strength, with the avowed intention of keeping another Power within bounds. There may or may not be a need of the kind. In the entry of the consideration, however, whether it is justified or not, is an undoubted return to the competitive estimates of naval forces that the Washington and London agreements were meant to abolish—to say nothing of the Disarmament Conference now sitting. Before Congress has its final word this aspect of the proposed legislation should be frankly faced, lest the effect be quite other than one of stabilising world affairs.