NAVAL RIVALRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10852, 18 March 1921, Page 5

NAVAL RIVALRY

AMERICA’S AMBITION

FRICTION WITH BRITAIN NOT WARRANTED. MAKING WAR IMPOSSIBLE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian ami N ” ' - i.-„i „.n. (Received March 17. 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 17. lord Lee, First Lord of the Admiralty, in a speech at a Naval Architects’ dinner, said that America’s claim to maintain a navy equal to the British was one which Britain never expected in the past and would not ex;>eet save from a great nation sprung from British loins, which must always hold a treat place in our regard and cnafience. We had twice in a most formal way affirmed our expedients for a onepower standard. The difference in the British and the American formulae was too slight to become tbe sa’fiect ic-r controversy, much less friction. Ho disagreed with those saying flint the question should not be dismissed because wax with America was unthinkable. Wars would not become impossible because people did not think about them. We should think day anfl night with the fixed intention or making wax impossible. If war arose it would be the fault of blind or criminal statesmanship.