In connexion with the naval question we note an article
by Mr. Frank L. Simonds in the Sunday Tinier. Mr. Simonds' article is not agreeable reading for English- men, but we believe it tells the whole truth about American naval feeling. The gist of it is that the " Big Navy " Group in America had only one chance of getting its way, and that was that the British Government should resist the American definition of parity, and thus provoke the jealousy and sensitiveness of Americans about their rights. Personally we do not think that the exclusive American definition of parity was just, but that does not affect the force of Mr. Simonds' argument. By failing to come to an agreement with America at Geneva we helped the " Big Navy " Party. Mr. Simonds says that if we had not done so the appropriations for the American naval programme would never have been voted, and President Coolidge would not have been converted to naval building. We have continually hinted how this result came about without wishing to be so impolite to America as to say that with her it was mainly a matter of pride. Now Mr. Simonds has said it for us.
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