AERIAL DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 9

AERIAL DEFENCE

LONDON'S VULNERABLE POSITION WORST SITUATES! CAPITAL IH EUROPE Pross Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, February 7. In tlie House of Commons, during the private members’ debate, Mr 11. G. Clarry (Con.) moved protesting that tlie disparity of Britain’s armaments imperilled the security and independence of the British Commonwealth and endangered the peace of the world. He complained specially of our naval and Air Force weakness. Mr A. S. Cunningham-Reid (Con.) said that London was strategically the worst situated capital in Europe, and enemy planes with poison gas and disease bombs could cause such chaos as to force us into the acceptance of peace terms. Mr Winston Churchill (Con.) said that years ago our Navy was a sure shield, but now “ this cursed, hellish invention of war from the air has revolutionised the position.” The Government should immediately reorganise civil factories for war purposes, as other European countries had done. With regard to the Navy, it should regain freedom of design and get rid of the crippling London Treaty. Mr Baldwin welcomed the debate and said: “ We are making the last attempt to obtain ordered limitation of armaments, trying to avoid the dreadful alternative. If we fail the Government will regard it as its duty to look after the interests of Britain first and quickly.” Sir Herbert Samuel protested strongly against Mr Churchill’s suggestion about tearing up the treaty. Mr Clarry’s motion was talked out.