RE-ARMAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 137, 6 December 1935, Page 4

RE-ARMAMENT

BRITAIN'S POSITION

"NECESSARY FOR.PEACE"

LOW LEVEL DANGEROUS

"I would repeat once more that there is a risk in accepting obligations as a member of the League of Nations, unless, we are able to carry out those obligations to the full," said Mr. Stanley Baldwin recently.

"I do not like the' doubts and questioniri'gs which have reached me from the world at large as Mo our ability to fulfil our obligations. So long as those doubts exist our words will not carry that weight in the councils of the world that the word of Great Britains always has carried, always ought to carry, and, I hope, always will carry.

• "In no conceivable circumstances mustwe feel that we are inferior in the air to anyone within striking distance of this'country. And in no conceivable circumstances should it be impossible for our people, whatever may happen, to be secured in the service of their food from overseas."

It has been evident for some months that the National Government are in favour of restoring the depleted armaments of Great -Britain, says "Public Opinion." The last Budget proved this to. be the case, and one of the unfortunate developments of the ItaloAbyssinian conflict is the statement that the increased armaments of European countries makes it imperative for the British Government to adopt the same policy if only for the purpose of being able efficiently to carry out its League obligations.

"The case cannot be put before the public in too great detail," says "The Times." "They must be told exactly what is necessary and why it is necessary. They and the rest of the world must be shown once again that the attitude of the British Government towards the Italo-Abyssinian dispuia is riot dictated by any regard for purely British interests, but by the conviction that the only system offering a hope of permanent peace for Great Britain and for the.rest of' the world is in jeopardy. - ; ■ ■ >

"They must be made to realise that, if they ; want permanent peace and the stabilisation leading to the general reduction oi. armaments, then some preliminary .efforts and sacrifices are required.for the defence of peace, just as 'they,: Were .required for the defence of, the pound. ."'•

"TEey.-must, • be warned that the action, of Italy, whatever may be its future'course, has seriously increased the,responsibilities of those who stand for the maintenance of peace and for the making of changes by reason instead of by force; and that the case for the repair of our defences is no immediate danger of war but the proved necessity of strengthening British influence for peace."

• "No matter from what angle British policy is viewed," states the "Glasgow Herald"—"whether one lays stress on the necessity of being in a position adequately to fulfil any commitments undertaken under the Covenant of the League .of Nations or whether one looks solely, to Britain's own defence requirements-i-it is undeniable that the low level at which the country's armaments have teen maintained in the period since the Great War no longer suffices.

"In.spite of-'the financial cost Involved, 'expansion and modernisation must be proceeded with at once.

"The Army must be brought up to strength, re-equipped, and modernised. The Air Force,must; be increased until it is'-ibe equal fcf any country's within striking distance. The Navy is a more complicated problem because of the existence of the various naval ;sfreafies.and'-,ttie obvipus desirability ->~crfi avoiding any suspicion of .entering \intp a building race- with the 'United i.States. It ought to be possible to opinion in America of the .^special, circumstances which render it *;.easential' for Britain to concentrate on ithbsfe types; of war vessel which are jfmost useful? as commerce protectors." -»4,"yfe do not know," points out the •^'Scotsman," "when, a storm rrior edanSigerous' even than the present to the ;£p'eace: of Europe ' may arise, and al■ftjiough it will be the duty, of our Statesmen to shelter us from it, if that i'Abe-possible, it' may not be in their ;ii>ower, consistent with the obligations i which we have undertaken under the Covenant and the Locarno fPact. ~..-■

defences have been let down Slit; conformity with a policy which has ijiitherto had the national approval. ftßut ;.it has been shown that the uni--vlateral disarmament which we have 4 voluntarily • practised has not iniduced; other nations to follow our example; \it .has served merely to expose us to risks that we can no longer afford to" run. v .

"The British ■ Government will continue to strive for limitation of armaments, but .they are forced at the same time to rebuild our own armaments; It may be that when other nations see that we are determined to make ourselves as strong as they are in the air, and to 'maintain our Navy in an adequate state of efficiency, they will be more inclined to consider an agreement for the limitation of armaments.

"It is obvious today that the nations are re-arming, and that influence in wctrld councils will again be determined largely by weight of armaments. The British Government have been compelled to recognise this developments and .to.-'come, temporarily at least/into line'with it.

"Our ranking among air powers is only fourth, or fifth, while many replacements, as well as additional cruisers, are required to put the Navy in a thoroughly efficient condition.

"The cost will, no doubt, be substantial, and the effect upon the Budget may be to postpone-reductions in taxation that, would otherwise be feasible; but the nation will probably feel that security comes first, and must be paid for. We trust that this is only a temporary phase, and that in happier circumstances the Disarmament Conference will one day be resumed; but for the time being that hope has failed."

"In the forthcoming weeks," says the "News-Chronicle," "the strength of the .collective system as represented in the r League of Nations is to be tested 3n practice. We shall know shortly now:whether it is or is not strong enough to restrain the lawbreaker. If the.League proves impotent, we shall have to reconsider our defences afresh. "But until that is proved, where is the sense of involving the country in a ruinous expenditure which, if the League succeeds, will be largely needless?"

"I am not going to accuse Mr. Baldwin and his friends of wanting war— they are not more criminal than I am —but thejr outlook is different from mine," said Mr. George Lansbury, in a speech at Wolverhampton.

"The world today believes in what is, in my judgment, a lie. That is, that you can get security by armament. It never has been done, and never will be done."

"Is it not obvious," Sir William Jowitt asked in an address, "that Mr. Baldwin" and Mr. Churchill have smoked the pipe of peace together? The prodigal son, Mr. Churchill, is to return to the fold. You may be certain that a Government which has Mr. Churchill for one of its members will carry out a Churchill policy. What is that policy? It is the old policy of safety in armaments."