BRITAIN WILLING TO GIVE UP POSITION AS MISTRESS OF THE SEAS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 1, 1921, Great Britain, under pressure from economic woes, indicated willingness to give up her "historic position of Mistress of the Seas*."
The New York Tribune reported that while "eager for the naval holiday discussion," the British were not willing for the United States "or any other nation to have a navy superior to hers."
President Woodrow Wilson had not as yet taken steps to set up an international conference and the U.S. State Department indicated he had no plans to do so.
*Royal Navy of Great Britain (1546-present) was founded by King Henry VIII. RN repulsed the invading Spanish Armada in 1588. It was the most powerful naval force in the world in the 18th & 19th centuries. During WWI, the RN consisted of 151 ships.
SOURCE
"British Ready to Waive Supremacy on Sea and Cut Navy to Equal U.S.," by Carter Field, New York Tribune, January 2, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
