GAPS IN BRITISH DEFENCES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22533, 15 October 1938, Page 17

GAPS IN BRITISH DEFENCES

——♦ TELLING PUBLIC THE TRUTH IMPORTANCE OF STATE SECURITY (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received October 14, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, October 13. Sir Thomas Inskip (Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence), when speaking at Gravesend, referred to the gaps in the country's defences revealed in the recent crisis. Given skill and determination there was no reason why they should not be repaired in as short a time as any nation could accomplish such a task. As for the admission of the existence of such gaps, he said that the British people did not want to be hoodwinked. They only required to bi told to rise as one man and complete the defences at the earliest possible moment. It was always safe to tell the British public the truth.

"What we have done in rearmament has been as remarkable as any nation h«a ever shown," Sir Thomas said. He did not think anybody would hesitate for a moment between the expenditure of money and State security. Money did not count to-day when the British people had responsibilities which the whole world recognised. There was not one nation which was not looking to England to know what she was going to do. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon), during a speech on defence at Sheffield, said: "The Government has immediately to enter on a vigorous, complete, remorseless, and urgent survey of the whole defence position." Sir John added that no policy, however conciliatory, could achieve its purpose unless it was backed up by a determined nation. In thp meantime the German suggestion of British measures to contravene the understanding reached by Mr Chamberlain and Herr Hitler is described in official quarters as without foundation. Yet the "Borsen Zeitung" says the truth is that Britain is rearming in order to be able to oppose the dictators with force. '