AMERICAN NAVY.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXI, 9 August 1921, Page 4

AMERICAN NAVY.

The report that the United States Government has decided to concentrate its strength in the Pacific has given rise to much comment in the American newspapers. An interesting resume of the various opinions expressed, is given in the “Literary Digest.”

The move is not definitely announced, the paper says, but seems to be tentatively proposed to draw out th<* opinion of the country. The island of Yap, which Japan is holding, in spite of American protests, for equal cqblo rights, is set forth as the chief reason, and it is closely followed by the island of Saghalien, ,which was partly occupied last year by Japan against our protests. The deep feeling against the Japanese in California, Japan’s reciprocal attitude because of the passage of the anti-alien land law by California, and the exposed position of the Philippine Islands are given as other reasons for reuniting the fleet in Pacific instead of Atlantic waters.

“Sword-rattling/’ the New York “Evening World” calls the anti-Japanese talk that is circulating freely.- And it was by precisely such gestures that Wilhelm, of Germany, ‘kept the peace of Europe’ by rattling the sword,*’ declares this paper.

“It means the adoption of a strong naval policy in tho Pacific,” believes’ the Detroit “Free Press,” “and this course is necessary as a matter of ordinary, enlightened self-interest.” As W. W. Jermane writes in the “Seattle Times”: “If such a policy should be adopted by tho Harding Administration, it will have more of an economic than a political foundation. It will visibly express part of the most ambitious programme any Administration has ever had for making sure that the United States has a fair share of New World markets. The Pacific offers potentially great markets for American manufactured goods, and America needs the Pacific’s vast stores of ratff materials.

“Prior to the war our fleet was in the Atlantic, fojf the bulk of our trade was there. If it is to be sent to tho Pacific under the plan that Cabinet has been considering, it will be in recognition of the fact that the war has shifted the world’s trade centre, or that part of it in which we are most interested, from one ocean to the other.”

On the other hand, says a Washington dispatch to the New York “Tribune,” “Japan is preparing to embark on an elaborate programme of naval aviation,” and already she has engaged British flying instructors, and purchased French airplanes of different types. Also, say some editors, while England and France would welcome a cessation of warship construction, Japan proves a stumbling Block in tho plans for disarmament. However, adds the “Tribune” : “There is nothing aggressive, there is no threat 'of war against any nation, in this sensibly policy of reuniting a disrupted fleet. It is a mere condemnation of the inexcusable action of the previous Administration in dividing th© fleet in defiance of naval strategy. The world at large, as weli as sensible people at home, will understand that the reorganisation of our fighting fleet is nothing more than a return to naval sanity after years of naval incompetency and political chaos.”

The Pacific Coast view-point, as set fqrth in tho “Oakland Tribune,” is that while the people of the Pacific coast “want adequate naval protection, they do not desire to see the Atlantic coast abandoned.” This Californian is willing to leave the matter entirely to Mr Denby, the Secretary of the Navy, who is “equipped intellectually to take a national view of national problems.” We read qp: “A large-visioned, permanent naval pplicy is now being considered by the Government. It is a policy that comprehends the deli* cate and disturbing character of international politics in the Pacific area. It takes cognisance of the abolition of an Oriental Power to expand its influence and usurp control throughout the Pacific. It recognises the covetous, militaristic, land-grab-bing designs of the Asiatic Power.

“The people of the Pacific coast want peace, and they know that a strong naval defence is the best protection against war. They are gratified that the .Government is conscious of its duty in this connection?’