. The King described agreement between the maritime nations on
the limitation of navies as " one of the most important columns in the edifice of peace." These words take us to the heart of what is being attempted at the Naval Conference. In conversation one commonly hears it said that there is far too much fuss about " parity." It is argued that if it be really true that the United States . and Great Britain will never fight each other, there is no sense in all this heart-searching and brain- racking about numbers. Why, for example, should not these two countries, having banned mutual suspicion. build what ships they think they need without eyeing one another unceasingly Surely, it is said, it is parity which keeps alive the very suspicion which otherwise need not exist. We agree that if .Great Britain and the United States were the only maritime nations there would be a great deal of sense in these arguments, but, as it is, it is necessary to look much further. _
