The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1924. UNITED STATES' NAVY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15999, 30 May 1924, Page 6

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1924. UNITED STATES' NAVY.

The American public are being- told a number of disquieting- things concerning their navy, some of which are no doubt true, while others arc probably exaggerated. It is only natural that naval officers and naval experts should compare the actual condition of a navy with the idea of perfection which they carry in their mind, and that they should thereby And that the navy they are discussing- is l greatly lacking. It is not, however, in human nature for men or ships to be kept up to the pitch of perfection in order to meet a contingency that does not arise, for the occasions on which the navy is called on are so rare that the great majority of those in the service never see a shot fired in anger. If the Americans could regard the matter philosophically they would see that their navy suffers under a great handicap as compared with the navies of Britain or Japan. America is a self-contained country whose interests are on the land, while Britain and Japan are islands, with large export and import trade and definite need and occasion for a navy. No doubt if we had the statement of experts respecting the navies of the two island Powers there would be plenty of faults to find, but nevertheless it is safe to say that they come much nearer to being fit and ready than does the American navy. A fleet in being is not to be created in a year or two, and a good deal more than money is required for the purpose. The Americans have been accustomed to think that a navy could be had if the country would pay for it, and they have not grudged the payment, for their navy has cost about twice as much as the British. We are told now, however, that there are no bases, and that the stock of oil fuel is very small compared with that of Britain. Moreover, the naval expert who is reporting on the American navy claims' that Britain controls the world's oil supply, and owns large holdings in the United States. This, of course, is adding verisimilitude to a bald and otherwise unconvincing tale, for obviously Britain could not obtain oil from America if she were at war with that country. It is not, however, of Britain that they are thinking in the United States, but of Japan. They have offered an insult to Japan, and have found that it has- provoked anger and resentment, and this has turned their thoughts in the direction of armaments, and hence the reports on the American fleet and the disquieting information which is forthcoming. It is probable, however, that the reports will have a political effect, which was not anticipated when the anti-Japanese legislation was passed. The disclosures of corruption in several departments of the State have revolted respectable citizens, and to be informed that the navy on which so much has been spent is not up to the standard will add greatly to the general disgust. It will not cause Republicans to vote for a Democratic President, for Americans rarely if ever change their party, but it will probably lead to the choice of some man not thought of at present, and split voting may produce unexpected results. The Democrats have not escaped the odium of political corruption, although the Republicans as the party in power are the chief offenders. It is' probable that the Republicans will split, and whether they will be able in that case to retain power is uncertain. The politicians have set their face against the League of Nations, while there is a growing feeling in the country in favour of taking part in international questions. The attempt to meet this by setting up a World's' Court looks like an attempt to save their face, and will not meet with much sympathy. The Presidential election is six months off, but the country is already becoming agitated over it, and the spectacle of the turmoil which takes place every four years should increase our loyalty to the King and our appreciation of the advantages of monarchical government.

An army or a navy is an important matter in a country where foreign affairs are the chief consideration. A statement of the questions which are agitating voters shows how far this is from being the case in the United States. Modifications of strict prohibition and control of the Ku Klux Klan are two of the questions which are arousing interest. The United States is so large that the average man has no interests outside it. Even the tariff, which affects everybody, fails to become a plank in the platform of either party. Local politics absorb the spare energy of the citizens. Many cities are models of town-planning, and have a great deal to teach the world in sanitation, health, and comfort. It is in this direction that the public spirit of the average citizen is shown. Washington is a long way off, and what takes place there seems to matter little to men in other States. If the recent anti-Japanese legislation should lead to trouble it would come as a surprise to people in the East, or, the Middle West, most of whom have never seen a Japanese. People who take so little interest in external affairs are not likely to be greatly concerned about the navy until some occasion arises to draw attention f to it, and if the country is not interested we may be sure that the service falls into a bad condition. The government of such an immense country as the United States is a difficult problem. Hitherto it has been met by giving the country a minimum of government of any kind. As population increases it becomes more difficult to act on this simple plan. The United States has few occasions for coming into contact with other nations, but such occasions are increasing in

number, and the wealth and business importance of the country are so great that her action is of vital interest to other nations. In course of time she will probably come to take the business of government more seriously. The exposures of corruption should awaken public interest, and the recognition that they have blundered into a quarrel with Japan may also provide an awakening. Government in all countries seems to lag far behind efficiency; in the United States farther than elsewhere.