WAR NOT IMMINENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 October 1933, Page 7

WAR NOT IMMINENT

MINISTERIAL ASSURANCE

MEANWHILE. NATIONS ARM

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Recd. October 30, 10 a.m.) LONDON, October 29.

Mr Oliver Stanley, addressing his constituents at Kendal, declared that war panic was unjustified. No Government anywhere had its attention fixed on anything but its economic revival. Sir Herbert Samuel (Labour), speaking at. Halifax, denounced the light-hearted talk of another war. He said that the Britons would not have if. They were determined as far as their power extends to step it now. That is the lesson of East Fulham. The Disarmament Conference must arrive at a convention reasonably offering Germany fulfilment of the Versailles pledges. Sir S. Cripps (Labour), speaking at Bristol, characterised Sir J. Simon as the worst Foreign Secretary in two hundred years. He had led' Britain into repeated follies. He added that Hitler would not be so certain of his position, if Japan had been properly dealt with last year. “It makes one almost physically vomit to see the armament factories at Sheffield busier than these have been for years. We ought to warn the Government that Labour would call a general strike, rather than permit the breaking of anti-war pacts.”

SHEFFIELD WORKS BUSY

LONDON, October 2S

The Sheffield factories are the most active in England, especially those relating to armaments. Though the Admiralty has not yet announced its new building programme the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce predicts an expension of the navy. The rolling mills are now working full time, while, the gun-shell factories are also fully occupied.

BRITAIN’S ARMAMENTS. (Recd. October 30, 1 p.m.) LONDON, October 29. Despite official disclaimers, newspapers continue to forecast a big expenditure for defence. The “Sunday Chronicle” declares that the Air Force is building over 100 fighting planes equipped with machine guns, and a squadron of giant flying boats. The Navy is contemplating a 1934 programme of 30 vessels, comprising six cruisers, two flotilla leaders, sxiteen destroyers, and six submarines.

JAPAN’S AERIAL FORCE.

LONDON, October 29.

Japan is determined to create the world’s leading air force, says the “Sunday Pictorial.” The new air policy aims at training large numbers of soldiers and sailors to fly. Boys between 15 and 18 will be taught to become pilots and mechanics, thus creating a reserve of aviators. The naval air arm is being doubled in strength. Japan is now manufacturing her own fighters and bombers. A French technical mission is advising the authorities.

DEFENCE OF SINGAPORE.

SINGAPORE, October 30.

The coastal resort of Changi, which is at the entrance to the channel leading to the naval base, formerly a popular holiday resort, is now being militarised. New barracks are being built for the accommodation of an increased number of troops. It is rumoured that another British infantry battalion will be stationed here in 1934, and also that a military aerodrome will be built.

While there are not the slightest signs of a scare, the developments are generally commended, it being realised that in the event of trouble in the Far East, Singapore would be most concerned.

CONFERENCE’S EFFORT.

RUGBY, October 27

The Secretariat of the League of Nations will make a revised text of the British draft convention embodying all that has been decided upon since the first reading, to be circulated to all delegations. Further conversations will also take place, and the results of these may furnish material for a fuller revision -when the General Commission re-assembles. The last word must rest with this body, which is representative of all States taking part in the conference.