THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS [To the Editor of the

SPECTATOR.]

Sin,—May I be allowed to enter a protest against Mr. Strachey's statement that England and America cannot live in peace without making what to them appear to be heavy sacrifices ? These two nations have lived in peace for over a century without material sacrifice, and I see no reason why they should not continue to do so for another century ; for there is not, so far as the average Englishman can see, any possible cause of quarrel. But I am quite sure that the cause of good feeling is not promoted if people persist in measuring Naval strength as if they were measuring the swords of duellists preparing to engage in conflict.

So far as the average Englishman is concerned the strength of the American Navy is not a matter of great interest. For as it is the settled policy of England that under no circum- stances will we go to war with America, competition in arma- ments can never be entertained. But as comparisons have

been made and as attention has been called to the number of . British cruisers, it is right that the facts should be stated correctly.

The first and most important fact is that England has an enormous merchant fleet and is dependent on her commerce for her life. Cruisers are built and maintained for the pro- tection of commerce, and we began the Great War with 113 cruisers. Nevertheless, during the War we lost 3,154 merchant and fishing vessels of a total tonnage of 7,830,855 tons, whilst 15,313 British merchant seamen sacrificed their lives. (See Parliamentary return 199 of 1-8-19) and the submarine came perilously near to winning the War. In view of these figures the Admiralty can hardly be accused of Navalism when they ask for only 70 cruisers to protect 80,000 miles of trade routes, that is to say a little more than half the number that proved insufficient in the late War.

It is asked in America—against whom are these cruisers directed ?

To most of us the question comes as a surprise, but the answer is easy. Not against America. The proof—that is easy also. Here is a table based on the return of battle fleets of 1928 :—

Battleships and battle cruisers.

BUILT.

Cruisers. Destroyers. Submarines.

British Empire

20 49

150 55 (7 free nations)

United States 18 32 309 121

BUILDING.

British Empire — 13 8 12 (7 free nations)

United States — 8

3 Since the above was published the Admiralty have an- nounced their intention of building three more cruisers and the

United States have decided to build 15 more cruisers. No one on this side complains, nor do they complain that the United States have more than twice the numbers of destroyers and submarines that Britain has.

We have had a painful experience of submarines : but the American submarines are a matter of indifference to us. So far as I know no paper has even mentioned. them. That being so, I ask, what all the fuss is about ? Somebody says : " the freedom of the seas "—a phrase that escapes definition. But that is another story and my letter is already too long. I will, however, if you will allow me, deal with that question another day. Meanwhile, may I remind British alarmists that it is Mr. Herbert Hoover, not Big Bill Thompson, who has been inaugurated President of the United States.—I am, &c., Studwell Lodge, Droxford, Hants. GRAHAM BOWER.