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To the Editor of the CRIMSON:
It looks as if Uncle Sam is holding the bag again, and Britain slips around to Japan. British diplomacy has a beautiful way of just not being there where you really expect her sometimes. Just before the London Naval Parleys opened up, the Anglo-Saxons gave us quite definitely the impression that they were in sympathetic accord with the American conviction at the coming Parley. And that conviction: Japan shall not have naval equality. It certainly appeared that there was to be an Anglo-American bloc, a united front of two nations in concerted beliefs.
But the Parley gets on and where is Britain? No, not quite where we hoped to see her somehow. In some slippery fashion she got over on the Japanese side of the fence and is now supporting Nipponese equality claims! Empire-Builder, Big Navy England of all nations! And she has the added presumption to offer Japan her good offices, in polite condescension to the Japanese, to mediate and urge the Americans to see their point of view. Admiral Yamomoto no doubt felt that there was something 'fishy' about it all, and that admirable statesman politely refused the tender of good offices so kindly offered. Had he seen through the British change of position? That it was probably an attempt to antagonize Americans and Japanese while the good Samaritan stood on the side line? That the British, in their hearts, did not want equality but could give that impression to secure Japanese friendship while America broke up the parley, and still no equality?
Well, it's rather hard on us naive Americans to feel the total abandonment we are left in, to witness the diplomatic sleights of hand of the British, our professed friend. But Uncle Sam, go the British one better--insist upon equality of armaments and demand moreover a tri-party security agreement: that the nation committing aggression will have the other two on its neck to keep the peace. Then watch England wince. Put the burden of either success or failure of the conference on her head and see what happens.
But Uncle Sam, for God's sake, don't hold the bag for the British and play the sucker. Admiral Yamomoto has been very kind to you in understanding your case--even a little better than yourself. He has been very sympathetic; he wants your friendship, if not more so, at least as much as that of old John Bull. Give Admiral Yamomoto some encouragement. We want Japanese friendship. Why not equality backed up by a security peace pact, if you are sincere about your efforts? If this Parley is a failure you boys will have micceeded in grand fashion to threaten yourselves. We demand Japanese friendship! Alfred M. Nittle '36.
