"ONE OF THE WORLD'S POLICE POWERS"

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21728, 10 March 1936, Page 9

"ONE OF THE WORLD'S POLICE POWERS"

ATTITUDE TO BRITISH HEARMAMENT

:;;:r: ssaky von presepyinc; PEACE » tBRII'ISH OFFICIAL WIKKLESSJ (Received March 9, 7.G p.m.) RUGBY', March 8. Speaking of Britain's new defence proposals the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Neviilc Chamberlain) said: "A representative of one of the smaller powers in Europe, on hearing of these measures, remarked 'that comes as a relief, because we know that England is one of the police powers of the world.' "

Mr Chamberlain added: "It may seem almost inconsistent that the most peace-loving country in the world should be embarking on this scheme to increase armaments; but we are living in a time of great anxiety—of such great restlessness among the nations of the world that the international situation has been steadily deteriorating. Unless the forces that make for peace are strong they might well be unable to withstand others who, having acquired a giant's strength, might be tempted to use it like a giant. "If we now who stand for peace consider it necessary to increase the strength of our defensive forces," he said, "and to make good those gaps and deficiencies which have been accumulating ever since 1919, it is because we feel that by putting ourselves in a position to fulfil our obligations under the league covenant we are making the greatest possible contribution to the cause of peace."