BRITAIN’S DEFENCE POLICY.

Evening Star, Issue 22618, 9 April 1937, Page 1

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE POLICY.

TO THE EDITOR- ' £ Sir, —■“ The Armament race; Trouble in store for the world.” A statement under the above heading by Mr Cordell Hull, of the United States, gives economic . nationalism _as the cause of depression, stragulation tariffs, etc. Wa must get down to “ all ” the facts* After the World War the very nations that mooted the idea of a League of Nations : backed out, and the general attitude of this same State was one of “ splendid isolation ” —to keep' • well clear of . European entanglements, so that America had a “ sit on the fence policy, with a readiness to hop, oven to either side for safety—or rather selfish ends. Are we to gain anything by Mr Cordell Hull’s fearsome remarks? Do they add anything towards a solution? Do they impress Hen; Hitler or Signor Mussolini, who is responsible for the armament race, and are nations ready to consider these socalled remedies? No. Another article a few days ago was ' entitled ‘ Hitler Impressed.’ There is certainly something in this. Russia’s power has at last caused this fire-eater to take note, and we shall soon find this man will eat words, too. his recent statements of the menace of Russia and of Communism axe quite 1 inconsistent with the climb-down tor the rapprochement. he contemplates.; Russia’s power has averted another world war. Had she been unprepared*: Germany would have attacked before dhis,; and there would) have been w^M rf , wide" internal troubles into the The natural result of burdens imposed upon peoples pf all nations is that lesson that armaments are too costly. Britain led the way to disarmament;! others refused to follow; therefore ■we should stand by our nation .in .'hex; timely decision to rearm. There is* however, a case for nationalisation of armament production to ' remove the racket of warmongers and the mad scramble. We shall find the evils before us are too real to .be cast aside by, such men as Mr Cordell Hull. We may choose the less costly one. When ■we fully realise the cost to Britain—nine and a-half thousand millions for the last war—would not the cost s of prevention he the better and wiser.way? _ The whole cause of world wars it profits and human greed. Before. the world lies a stormy journey. The cost of these terrible lessons must be paid* and through much misery we shall learn that life is a struggle in. all forms.' There will always be wars while the - causes, of war remain. We can only scratch into the surface of things* If we purposely blind ourselves to grim realities we.deserve all. that comes to us. If we desire to live in peace we must be-ready to-act.. It is a poor cock that refuses to fight on his own dunghill. Right before us lies the tragedy of Spain—fighting for freedom and democracy of the world.—l am, etc., B. E. Kim 'April 8. " ;