Nobody need be surprised over London's attitude on the latest development of the Washington Naval Treaty, the proposal of the United States to spend $6,500,000 on the elevation of gun turrets. Exactly the same point came up within about three months of the signing of the agreement, when Washington heard a rumour that Great Britain was. making arrangements to give her guns a greater elevation. Naturally, said _the American naval experts, 17 the British Navy proceeds to outrange us with her guns by giving them a greater elevation, the whole Treaty becomes futile. Inquiry at the Admiralty in London disclosed the fact that the rumour was without foundation, and the matter was promptly dropped. So far as the layman can see the American Navy Department proposes to do exactly what it complained that Britain had in mind, and the man-in-the.street must begin to wonder what the treaty-makers were thinking about when they drew up the agreement. We shall no doubt be told in the final event that the Navy Department's intentions have been completely misunderstood, but this being the second incident of the kind, the impression left is not likely to be one of any great confidence in the Treaty. The greater the pity, for one previous "naval holiday" is not to-day spoken of with enthusiasm, and anything to disturb this one must bring" such "'holidays" into disrepute.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.