718 T. C. CHAMBERLIN 
t. It is proposed that the Confederation shall take over. war- 
vessels from the present navy of each of the nations, by definite 
units, such as a war-vessel with its officers, crew, marines, and full 
equipment, in such number as shall represent its equitable propor- 
tion of the navy of the Confederation. Let this proportion on the 
average be one-third of the existing navy, leaving on the average 
two-thirds remaining in the hands of each nation. Let one-half 
of this two-thirds be retained as the domestic navy of each nation, 
and let the other half be retired by such nation and be dismantled 
by it, so far at least that it shall not be an immediate menace to any 
other nation but still could be restored to service, if emergency 
required, in less time than any other nation could build vessels 
anew. Let all building of new battleships, and other vessels for 
which there is no need except in case of war, be discontinued by all 
nations. 
Now under this plan (1) the ratio of naval power between the 
several nations remains practically the same as it is now; (2) the 
relative preparedness for war is the same; (3) the chief need of 
war-vessels is removed by the fact that the policing of the seas is 
taken over by the Confederation; (4) its system of parity removes 
‘the costly race to keep each national navy ahead of rival navies; 
(5) one-third of the existing expense of maintenance is saved to 
each nation; and (6) the burden of maintaining the Confederation’s 
navy could probably be met by levies on the commerce protected 
by it, but if not it would be distributed on an equitable basis. The 
saving would thus be large, there would be little change in the 
relative power or preparedness of the nations, and any minor change 
that might be involved would be merely such as is likely to arise 
inevitably from the growth of commercial activity. It would be 
the height of prudence for all nations liable to suffer a change of 
relative naval power from relative declines in international com- 
merce to forestall the adverse conditions of the future by entering 
into an equated world-scheme before their advantages pass away. 
It is important to note that by this plan of division of existing 
navies the nations that now have strong navies and are active in 
international commerce take no serious risks in trying the omni- 
national scheme; for, let it be emphasized, the Omninational Navy 
