THE NEW DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 195, 19 August 1930, Page 6

THE NEW DEFENCE.

The French War Minister has recently made a long explanation before Parliament of the new measures of defence, adopted for the country's eastern frontiers. In answer to sharp criticism he declared that the real defence of a country lies in the moral of the soldier. And, he added, moral has always been magnificent in the case of the French. True as this statement may sound, it must undergo considerable qualifications in respect to the future (states a special correspondent). Not that the personal heroism of the poilu is likely to diminish, but his moral and that of any other soldier is magnificent only so long as the dangers and horrors of war concern him personally. His moral begins to waver and finally breaks down completely when he knows those he left behind to be in danger. The war furnished some convincing instances of this. In a hypothetical Avar of the future, we are told by all sorts of experts, civilian populations will be as much involved as line regiments. Hostile air fleets will recognise no front. Cities will be destroyed in terrific aerial bombardments and the moral at the front will break down. Forts, many experts are agreed, are no longer of any use; pretty soon even the infantry will be no guarantee. Security dwindles to a minimum. This is one way of looking at it. The other is this: Real security, total security for countries like France and the whole world lies in disarmament and in the development of a universal, spirit among the peoples. The real defenders of their countries and of peace are the men charged with foreign relations. Good will and a desire for peace are stronger defence than forts of steel and cannon. The spirit triumphs over the sword.