THE GENEVA NAVAL CONFERENCE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—While this conference has passed along, it should not, I think, be ignored why the United States need a navy which could meet our navy: because the English " right of search " is not accepted by the United States Governments and never will be.
When President Harding in 1921 called the Washington Conference to reduce future naval expenditure, good prepara- tion in this direction for the agenda of the conference was made by Secretary of State Hughes and Senator Lodge who represented the United States. In the recent futile meeting, there was no well-thought-out plan for further reduction ; and this created a situation in which the United States Government could not be interested from whatever standpoint might be advanced.
The larger your navy, the greater your upkeep ; and it is the upkeep which is so heavy when there is no potential enemy ! I hope you may publish my views.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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