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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Blyth Standard, 1930-02-20, Page 7THE GREAT CONFERENCE 13y J, L, Garvlll The delegates of the five Powers are in London; conversation has al- ready begun. Franco -Italian relations are 1110 hardest crux. To the fortunes of the 011101e Conference, itself, though not necessary to events afterwards, 1000000 beyond doubt 110100 the key; and it is well indeed that she 10 re- presented by the most brilliant of her younger statesmen — Monsieur 'Tar- ' (11011, whose person01 knowledge of the English-speaking world is remarkable. The three main 1001101 technically are those of battleships, large cruisers and submarines, Floating Fortresses Must Go It 15 absolutely eertahl that unless there is drastic darling with the float- ing fortresses there will be 110 finan- cial economy worth speaking about, and no real change of heart as re. 0110110 naval armaments, They have involved Britain and Atne.ica especial- ly in vast waste of 010003' and they wili be the mock of satire in another generation. They are the world's worst symbols of war -mentality. They are not suitable engines for any future tear, They are another unimaginative example (history has furnished manly) of exnggeratod preparation 'for—the past war.The monstrous battleship is a monstrous fallacy. IIostile air- craft, i1 there is another grapple to i -he death between nations, will attack first the supplies and the lino of an importing people, not the fleets, Air- craft will bomb, burn, and stole the ports and chipping and the (tense key towns lu spite of t1e 'Nelson," "Rod- ney," "11000;' and s0 forth. 11011101 then depend on those --if we are in- deed to think in realistic war-Iernis— it 10011111 he better to halve 1110 fleet and treble the airforce. Germany's Famous Pocket Battleship Germany is setting an example :Which may be epoch -nuking. Tradi- tionally, size is the prey of brains. Adore brains and science have gone into the famous German "pocket bat- tleship" than were over packed before into one hill, Contrived with original force of research, thought, and skill, 1110 "Ersatz Preussen," though only of 10,000 tons displacement, will be a snatch for any warship up to twice 110r 8100 now afloat. She will bo in- comparabie 110 a blockade -breaker and commerce -destroyer. .As a bunting and fighting ship she reduces to insig- nificance the cruises of equal 0Is- pin0e110111, 10,000 tons, which have caused the prodigious fuss between America and Britain, The German "poolcet-Mettlesblp" is wonderfully de- sigm1od to 0101 nearly all the warships that could catch her, and to escape the few that could siulc her, No Battleship Over 17,000 Tons 30 is understood that at the Confen'- enee some proposals will be made— with every prospect of easy betinale- minte agreement—for lengthening the life of existing battleships and reduc- ing more pr less the maximum size of 511010 successors, Rumors, for 'what it 13 worth, puts that maximum too high, The present "1Vashiugtoll" 01a110000 should bo cit down by fifty per cent. Allowing anything bigger merely gives more scope to common- place as well as to cost. Nothing but limitation of sizes will compel 0110 0011010 of caber nations to equal Cor - man eQlcie1cy as stimulated by the Versailles restrictions; and to break lawny from "preparation for the Past War." Wo shall be disappointed if ally battleship lain down after this year of grace is allowed to exceed 17,- 000 tons at the most., Cruisers and Common Sense Cruisers are a pimplier matter in spite of all the preposterous bother that has been made about 1110111 since the British -American muddle at Gen- eva. For tie necessary adjustment to any agreed parity with the 'Culled States, British requirements in this branch have been out down to a 111111 1- 1111(111. it as settled that 10'0 011011 not go to tear with the United States i11 any cir- cumstances, It does not matte' a brass farthing to this country wheth- er America in the Bane of purity gets three or fou' 10,000 -toe eight -inch gull cruisers over and above what our Ad- mirals think justified by a pedantic idea of parity, Let theme remember that what their professional counter- parts across the Atlantic have want- ed in their hearts, Is two to one. The statesmen on both sides, not the sail- ors, have saved us from that, The Position of Japan But It is said that Japan will jeopar- dize the contingent Hoover -MacDon- ald understanding by insisting of a slightly higher ratio for 10,000 ton cruise's, giving her an additional two or throe of these vessels. We do not believe for a single instant ihat the Conference wit be imperilled on this of till issues, Gar reasons are both po- litical; and technical, The Japanese are a wise people. They know that we here admire awl like them; that the whole English-speaking world de- sires amity and 00 -operation with them on the fairest terms of live and let live; and that further goodwill, thongit an imponderable element of security, is a real equivalent to a cer- tain amount of tonnage, Again, they are 1)011 0100re that the "Ersatz Frosts - sea" will maize obsolete the designs of all the eight -inch cruisers which were so lately the newest boast, Burnt Into the Flesh P100ee for the present is wedded to tit, 1he'ny of armed security by land, air, and sea alike 00 the only sure dependence so long as 1110 Covenant tied the l'ielogg Pait give her no con - 010(e guarantee of sapped, You may profoundly disease() with the thesis, het to be impatient; with it is foolish. it may be all almost insut?e'able'im- peeimeet to the general progress of ilisarlouncuf; it may be, as we thlnit, 11e111 11 psyehol0010111 mistake and a technical Minna' as regards ultimate, sec00110 itself. BM it is ml. absolute Preach conviction not only fixed In Ho mind, bet burnt bite the flesh by the terrible memory of two trampling, ravaging, Wrecking iurasions, The new French 1101101nd system or 01111a - mettle and footlficratlon provides re- letively to the rest of Europe,. Britain iechitied, a dominant diplomacy linked up with Poland tine lite tale Entente; a deadliest arm'~,; a dnnlieaut air- force; and a specialleetl nary W11 1011 w110(1 plaits are completed is to in- clude m1101t011 strength in 10uiser0 and destroyers as well as tree most formid- able submarine -force existing. No Abolition of Submarines 1loa' inn the i'Ive-Powor Conference mitigate rho situation on the 110001 side? 10 is uselessly suggested that Prance, in 1 se present state of mind, shall' abolish submarines altogether. She will do nothing of tine kind, No iFrench Government could dolt. The Republic commands the most coherel10 and 1(111000 00'0010111111 empires, Dur neighbors regard as iudiepousahle to their complete project of security an assured connection with the man- power and mtterie1 ren; -,'ices of their great consolidated North African do - Min IOU, The Marseilles -Algiers pass- age forwards and bacicgrouuis is 11010 to be a chief line of Ilfe, requiring to be protect d by a definite submarine and cruiser supremacy in the Mediter- ranean, Stop Preparinj for Past War Then, is nothing to be done? Are we to throw up our hands? Not at all, Though submarines cannot be abolished altogether d 111000 valuable intermediate gain is possible. As we said, lot the statesmen of America, Britain, and Jnptnl stop "preparing for the past war" ttt enormous waste of money and gross misuse of ma- terial, Let them agree accordingly to abolish the g(gautic battleship, even it the Present monsters must be per - milted to die out within a specified period instead of being sunnnarRy scrapp011. Let then reduce by at least oil; half the maximum now al- lowed for replacement ships, Noth- ing smaller than proposals like this would be worthy of the decisive spirit of Charles Hughes at Washington 111 1921, Let this be done, and Prance, though still linable to abandon ler un- derwater boat, 10111(1 not refuse to diminish the gravity of the submarine question by consenting to some de- finite limitation or sizes and numbers. She is now completing at Cherbourg the sinister 'Surc0110," a giant sub- marine of over 3,000 tons, That way the old madness lies --throat and cemhter-action,, poison and auntidote. Limitation offers the 111(011001 means of accommodation with Italy. But are we equally bound to tray that the Cerium pocket battle -cruiser, however natural and masterly as a triumph over Versailles restrictions, is crammed vilih challenge to '00(01)011' tion. More of these vessels aro to be built (thol011 only four are as yet mentioned) bytegare h t ioarftime na- tion which won again the blue ribbon of the Atlantic for passages steam- ers, Anyone who reads: "NaIlIlous" 111111 ilia "Marime Ituudsohan," the ablest naval annual and ((.011thly in the world, sees at once that German pea -spirit is intense though repressed, The Five -Power Conference would be foolish if It turn, 1 the blind eye to that fact. At least let them get a plain answer 10 a plain question, How many of the 10,000 -tot eight -inch gun cruisers would bo required to be a match for one "Ersatz Preussen?" Greatest Sacrifice 'Made by Britain No sacrifice can be asked from any nation approaching that made by Bri- tain, which (held the sovereignty of ilio seas for long generations and now 011 the Hoover -MacDonald basis ac- cepts equality wiLih all its implications --the greatest change of its kind dur- ing a Sew short years that lhistory las known.—Montreal Standard. R-100 Will Not Be Taken to Tropics Gasoline Engines Would Be Dangerous in Extreme Heat London.—Tho new 13rl1.ish a1reldp R-100 is not considered suitable for use in tropical climates and 001108- (meutly her operations will be con- fined, for some time at least, to nestle mut latitudes, said Iioh, F. Montague, Under-Secretary for Air, in reply to questions In Parliament. Mr. Montagne explained the .R-100 was fitted with gasoline engines, which would be highly dangerous in the extreme Heat of the tropics. It was not proposed as yet to re-onelue the vessel with compression ignition engines using crude cit, as used in the sister ship, 1i-101, since these engines were still 10 the experimental stage. The R-100 is to matte her 1111(1 flight from Britain to Canada in the spring. "The most successful religion is a superstition which has ethslavcd a philosophy."—Dean Inge. Canada's New High Commissioner? British Youths Next Fifty Years Belong to Canada AVONWAINIMIMMIIIMIIIMINAIWYS MAY SUCCEED LATE HON. PETER LARKIN Hon, Vincent Massey, Canadian minister to Washington, who Is likely to be the next Canadian high commissioner in London, in succession to the late lion. Pete' 0, Larkin, it Is believed at Ottawa. George Washington Stephens, former Tread of the Saar governing commission In 1923-26, may bo accredited to the White IJouse to replace Mr. Massey, Sealers' Drama Will Be Filmed On Ice Floes Varick Frissell, Amateur Dir- ector, Heads Company Now in Newfound- land A send -Screen romance with its theme centering about the adventures of Labrador seal fisheries and the perilous lives of the old-time fisher- men out of Newfoundland ports is the project undertaken recently by Var- let( Frissell, amateur cinema director, whose expedition, aboard Captain Bob Barrett's schooner Mortises', will sail from St, Johns, Newfoundland, early In Fe1ruay for the sealing grounds. 111 collaboration with technical ex- perts familia• with the requirements of sound 111111 production, Mr. Frissell tvlll utilize as the stage for 1110 amnia the Ice floes and north Atlantic wastes which constitute the seal hunt- ing grounds of the fleet of sail and steam vessels which annually puts out free St. Johns in quest of the pelts of these denizens of the near - Arctic regions. Dut'log one of his trips to the north- land Alt, Prissoll became acquainted tivith Captain Bob 1artlett, vole'al seal hunter, fisherman, sailor and deep wader adventurer, whose tales of his trips abroad the Morrisey have beef material contributions to the saga of sailing 11100. Captain Bartlett will not only supervise the selection of locations on which scenes will be "shot," but will play the part of a sealing captain in the 11101, a char - actor role not far removed from that which he plays in actual al life, 'l'ltose in charge of the production have selected Charles Starrett and Miss Louise Iluntinglon for the pro- tagonists of the play. Although Mr, Starrett has figured in leading roles in screen stories before, Miss Hunt- ington has never before appeared in this capacity. Religious Battle Upsets England Situation Serious in Rank of Anglican Church Circles London—"'rho biggest crisis since the Reformation," This is the des- scrlption being applied ,o the re- lations between the Church and State, 11111011 are again agitating the entire country, following recent action by the Church Assembly In adopting the Archbishop of York's reeomniendatlon that a commission be eppointed to probe Britain's religions ills, A statement issued recently by the Archbishop of Canterbury describing the situation as precarious Is regard- ed as moderate In the circumstances, because it is realized that if the ex- tra -legal actions of the Bishops should Ino brought into open conflict with public 1110; the question of disestab• 1lshment will be raised In an acute form. The Archbishop of Canterbury says that nobody wants (Reestablishment, but the Archbishop of York says that "Perpetual anomalles aro arising in the divergence between the marriage law of the Church and that of the state, Not Too Great "The price of (Usestabli0humit," continues the latter, "would not be too great to pay for spiritual inde- pendence." And the Bishop of Durham: "Th' only solution of spiritual independ- ence is discstablfshment," The Ilislhop of Winchester: "We aro face to face with the gravest chats lenge between the spiritual and secu- lar since the Reformation." Other Church leaders aro 0100001110 the fact that lawlessness is beginnle0 to spread In the Church of England, but they admit that those in favor of dleoaetablislimelt are in the minorityy. Now, however, the number will great- ly increase if an oPen 10110100 through the lav courts begins, as it is expect• ed to shortly, We weaken when we exaggerate, For Dominion London --- Under an agreement aotween tate British and Alberta tovernmehts, 100 youth from 17 to 20 years of age aro being selected oy Ilerbert Greenfield, agent -gem prat for Alberta, for agricultural trainingand settlement fa Alberta by early sumer. Tito first group will sail on March 18, Canada -Colombia Trade Expanding Jorge Gonzales, Consul -Gen- eral, Predicts Future Steady Growth The rise 111 trade between Canada and Colombia in the past seven years has been remarkaille, 011111 Jorge Gon- zales, consul -general of the Republic of Colombia to Canada recently, Since he began Ids dutle la 1923 tho ex- ports from the republic to the Dotal - l011 had increased 20 times and tate exports from the Dominion to the Re- public had increased 12 times, lie ad- ded In illustration. Senor Gonzales said that t.be pose- Uiiltles of a still greater volume of trade between the tws countries would he much enhanced by a direct line of slips between them. Canada was lit- tle known in South America and al- most unlauwn in Colombia. This was largely due to the fact that tbere was no direct communication by sea. At present goods from Canada reach- ed Colombia only through the United States, and when the goods reached the south they we'o known, not as Canadian produce, but as American, only when the produce reached Col- ombia as Canadian would the trade reach its fell possibilities. Demand is Great For there was great 1100101111 for the things that Canada produced., Though Colombia is rich and can produce flora and fauna of every known de- scription because of the vast variety of her climate, yet she needed and imported great quantities of nlnnufac- tured articles, of machinery itself, and particularly of flour. „Rut;' said Setter Gonzales, "if Canada is 1utkn0wn In Colombia, the reverse is also true. It is not under- stood that the luhabitants of our ren nubile aro 60 per cent. white and that they carry 111 their blood all the coon' - age and energy of their Spanish fore- fathers, the Conquistadores. We have many of their lino qualities and we have cast off n1any of their had ones, We are not a conglomeration of liee- ples. We Have an organized state. We have a life fwd mind of Dur 0w11," The geographical situation of Col- ombia was such that it had no sea- sons and all climates, said Senor Gon- zales. Prost the torrid, humid at- mosphere t- n sIe1e of the coasts1 regions, where tropical products grew, to the high, dry cold atmosphere of the Cor- dilleras, where the products peculiar to temperate countries grew, the Col- ombians could draw all sorts and kinds of produce, While coffee was the largest export of tho country at present, there was a groat field for other exports, particularly of fruit, Government Stable The government of the country, too, he added, was stable. This was wit- nessed by the fact that the Colombian peso was practically at par on the Canadian exchange and fluctuated very little, if at all. There was every- thing', therefore, whicih was likely to give great promise of expansion of trade between the two countries, Colombia was, moreover, predis- posed to trade with the British peo- ples, for they still remembered the day when Melvin had sent out arms a money h and o oy n 111 men to alit 1110111 111 throwing off the Spanish yoke, "Half 1110 evils of the world would atop if they had to be done is 1110 light of day."—Lord Salisbury.. Looking After Canada's Interests PHOTOGRAPH HERE SHOWS CANADIAN DELEGATES FOR NAVAL CONFERENCE IN LONDON Left to rigid —Commodore Walter Hose, chid o0 mama sluff; 001, J, L, Ralston, minister of defence; and Col. G. 0, Vanier, 0.5.0., 310, , Sir Esme Howard is Full of Admiration for Dominion NATIONAL SPIRIT British Ambassador Hopes to Return for Longer Visit Washington,"I think the next fifty years belong to Canada," said Sir Esme IIoward. The British Ambassador, soot to re- tire, returned from his farewell visit to the Dominion obviously refreshed and invigorated and full of admira- tion. "It was delightful. to visit Canada agafin and renew old acquaintance- ship," be said, Discussing the ecolon00 future of Canada, Sir Esme remarked that, un- like less fortunate metrics, the Do- minion's eggs were not all in one bas- 1(et. He foresaw the industrialization of tho country with the development of hydro electric power sources "in. which it is wealthier than any other land," together with the advance in industry and the use to which vast and varied resources might be put, and proportionate and necessary in- crease in agricultural production. Expressing a particular interest in the opening of IIudson Bay, Sir Esmo said he wished ho had been able to visit that part of the country as well 0r the Cobalt district, CANADA'S NATIONII00D With obvious pride the Ambassador then spoke of the Dominion's nation- hood and said he had noted with a thrill of interest the national spirit of lite Canadians which, inherently Brit- ish, ever grew and strengthenzd. Ole observed also the breadth of the Can- adian outlook reflected in the press where prominence was given to world and imperial affairs. This was Sir Esaic's first visit to Canada in the wi::ter time. "The air is so clear," he said. "Tito bracing air in Ottawa I should thick is not unlike Oat in the Swiss Alps." The Ambassador hoped that some time ho would bo able to return to Canada for a longer visit, When it was suggested he should take six months of so for a leisurely trip from Halifax to 1,7ancorver, he said "that would be a -re:y great pleasure in- deed." "I am growing old, growing old," he said, His eyes were merry. Ile rose briskly, Saskatchewan to Have No New Court Buildings Anderson Government Re- quires all Funds for Edu- cational and Highway • Developments Regina, Sask.—There will be no new court house for Saskatchewan this veer. That's the decree of the Anderson ICovernnlent which has been urged to build several now law court struc- 10100. The answer is that the Government must look after educational and high- ways expenditures first, Sit' Frederick Idaultaiu, Chief Jus• lice of the Court of Appeal, (011e' emi- nent jurists and barristers, and Re- gina, civic leaders, pressed the Govern- meat to build a million -dollen' law courts building' in the Capital City, but the,y were tuned down, Saskatoon asked for a new court 1 house and there was seniors of a plan to clove the Court of Appeal to the Northern city, The Corermnumt has called a halt to Saskatoon's ambitions. While the Government turned down requests for a new court honsc, intentions are to. spend some millions on 11011(110gs of other kinds 'this Year. A utillfomdollar school for the (leaf at Saskatoon, n new Arts building at the University of Saskatchewan, an institution for mentally deficient child- ren, additional accorumodnttou at (1111 Provincial IIone for Aged People and more accommodation in provincial sanatoria are among the thing's plan- ned by the Anderson a(hnfuisiratiou. 011 lop of that Dr, Anderson Is Leen abort putting in new schools in re- mote parts of the province, including northern area0 where half-breed and white children aro not now served. The highways program is a particu- larly, ambitious one. It (0 planned to spent 1319,000,000 within 1110 next three years on Im- proved roads. Devotees of Sport Chicoutimi Progress: People of all ages and both sexes waste precious hoes d100000ang the chance of this or Thal club, and of this or that boxer or wrestler to vanquish his opponent. I should like to :see a part of these thousands of hours, which ore lost each year, 1111110300 in the study of matters which may improve our young people; 1 should like to see sone of 111011 used in work of a social, literary, ani isl.ic, economic or other useful ehar- acler, 111 all si(cerily we, waste torch tin0 talking about, sports. Airs, 13labface — "'that new hat males you' face 10011 short." Mrs, Style "''hats strange. It blade lay husband's face loot( Sorg,"