“FOLLY OF WAR”

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 13

“FOLLY OF WAR”

MR BALDWIN’S WARNING DANGER OF INCREASED ARMAMENTS (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, November 10. The Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) concluded a review of home and foreign affairs in a speech at the Mansion House banquet with a warning and an appeal to the nations. “A war to-day,” he said, “would mean untold misery beside which the misery of the last war could be classed as happiness. The rearmament of Europe is inconceivable folly for those of us who have the responsibilities of governing the great countries of Europe. If the nations devote for too long their care to arms, and forget the conditions of their people, there will be discontent and despair. “If the expansion of armaments is continued, I do not say that it will mean war, but it will make , war more likely,” added Mr Baldwin. “Everyone in Europe knows that war in the long run means the degradation of the life of the people, and in the end 'anarchy and world revolution. Knowing it, what can our duty be but. to come together and save Europe?

“In this island home of ours we are looking now to our defences, and quite right, too. I am prepared to devote all our efforts, whatever it may cost in men and money, to do what is necessary, but I am conscious all the time of the folly of it to all of us. The Government is ready and anxious to embrace any opportunity to stop the growth of arms.”