CAN AMERICA FIND CREWS FOR HER SHIPS?
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—You remark correctly that if the U.S.A. elected to build a navy twice the size of Great Britain's she could do so and scarcely feel the financial strain. But there is a question which seems to have been very generally overlooked and which cuts at the roots of American naval policy. Can she fill her ships?
Compared with her area, the U.S. has a very limited coast line, and except along the "Eastern shore" (and in the Philippines) there is very little of that sea tradition which is the pride of Britain and the foundation of her naval supremacy'. I believe I am right in stating that a considerable portion of the American navy is laid up at this moment for'lack of cre.iie The industrial attraction in a country -where wages are the highest,in the world and where humblest artisans posSess a • motor-can must encourage a tendency landwards rather than seawards.
Clearly a State which possesses a limited seafaring popula- tion and unlimited- wealth will endeavour to make the uthilost use of the former by the construction of the greatest number of powerful cruisers which -it can keep in commission' rather than of twice the number. -of light cruisers easily outrang61. In-these circumstances was-Great-Britain so unwise in rejecting the "mathematical parity " proposed at Geneva- by the 'U.S.. delegation ?
To- have done so would have been to .deprive- herself of the one great advantage which she still hOldS Over Arheriew---4th • almost inexhaustible seafaring—population, riehly bailed -with a naval tradition that all the wealth of the United States cannot create indigenously.—! am, Sir, &c.,
New University Club.
W. BARING PEMBERTON.
[We recently discussed the question raised by our corre- spondent with one of the most widely read publicists in America. In substance his reply was as follows : "Make no mistake about it-. If America wants the crews for her ships she will get them. She will offer wages sufficiently high to attract Europeans, especially British, Scandinavians, and Germans. If the - quota law' makes difficulties we will remove the quota. In the past European merchant seamen have shown a marked readiness to serve in American ships owing to the better rates of pay and better conditions, as many masters of British ships, while in American ports, know to their cost." —En. Spectator.]
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