Rei Murasame wrote:Looking through the newpapers from the time period a lot of the jockeying around seemed to centre on the Washington Naval Agreements and who was or wasn't obeying them, and who was or wasn't asking for an adjustment in the agreement.
The big dispute was over heavy cruisers, the UK wanted unlimited numbers of cruisers but strict limits on the individual ships. The Americans wanted the opposite. This was the issue that wrecked the 1927 naval conference. Meanwhile Japan remained silent and went about building a class of cruisers that were for that time the most capable in the world. Refrence: The Myoko class heavy cruisers 10 X 8" guns, 8 x 5" guns and 12 x 24" long lance torpedo tubes weight 13,500 tons with a speed of 36knots!!!
In contrast the US Portland and New Orleans class cruisers weighed on average 9500 tons, had 9 eight inch guns and could reach speeds of 32knots. The British Heavy cruisers such as the Exeter weighed 8300 tons, had 6 x 8" guns and could reach speeds of 32 knots.
SpaciousBox wrote:The single moment that British and US interests are not aligned, we will not be considered friends.
This is true of all Allies. By their nature they are temporary bed mates.
SpaciousBox wrote:The US bases it's friends and foes on it's own - rather than mutual - gain.
So do the British unless you feel that the British empire was primarily an altruistic concern. The fact is that all nations that choose to project force around the globe are worried about themselves FIRST. Reference: The British Empires active support of the Confederacy (everything short of intervention) during our civil war and plans to invade the US through Canada to ensure a steady supply of 'Cotton' for its textile mills BUT the instant Egyptian and Indian cotton was available in quantity the British dropped the Confederacy like a hot potato.
SpaciousBox wrote:That is always a dangerous ideology to face against, and no one should consider this a footnote.
Indeed Allies should keep an eye on each other.
SpaciousBox wrote:The time may very well come when we are on separate sides of a dispute, and the "special relationship" will be the real footnote then. Always be careful when it comes to US foreign policy, especially when Republicans are in power.
Actually you have more to fear from the Democrats
SpaciousBox wrote:Culturally, they have no notion of their place within a global community. Though that could easily be said for a lot of countries, too...
Don't be absurd there is no such thing as the 'global community' its a predator prey situation. Aren't you glad that you are a member of the UK a predator nation just like the USA?
The big 'slow' stab in the back for you guys is going to come from your beloved EU. Can't you feel it twisting as we speak?