IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 February 1935, Page 7

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

DEBATE IN COMMONS FOR BENEFIT OF DOMINIONS [PY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] | (Received February 27, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, February 26. A special meeting of Cabinet decided, in view of the visit of the Dominion Prime Ministers, to hold a general debate on Imperial defence, in the House of Commons, as the outcome of Sir Maurice Hankey’s tour, and in connection with the Defence estimates, which are being issued next week. It is recognised that the Navy, Army and Air Force estimates will inevitably be substantially higher than last year. Cabinet is anxious that the House of Commons should discuss the estimates in their entirety, besides the votes for separate services. TEN MILLIONS INCREASE? LONDON, February 26. The “Stax's” political correspondent says that the Defence estimates are expected to be increased by £10,000.600. enabling the provision of more aeroplanes, tanks, armoured cars, and warships. BRITISH NAVAL DEFENCE. LONDON, February 26. The “Daily Herald” says: “The Government and the Imperial General Staff are preparing plans for the reconditioning and the strengthening of all of the outlying naval and military bases. This follows on Sir Maurice Hankey’s consultations with the Dominions. CHIEF OF STAFF’S TOUR. RUGBY, February 25. General Sir Archibald Montgomery Massingberd, chief of the Imperial General Staff, will leave England on February 28, to carry out a. tour of inspection in Egypt, Palestine, and the Sudan. Travelling from Marseilles in the-liner Strathnaver, he will arrive at Cairo on March 6, and will, travel by air to Khartoum on March 9, returning to Cairo on March 13. Before leaving Egypt for Palestine on March 20. he will visit Ismailia. He will also visit Transjordania, and will leave for England at the end of March. LONDON, December 26. . General Massingberd’s tour of Empire bases, garrisons, and fortresses follows Sir Maurice Hankey’s visit to the Dominions.

Major-General Barron will carry out a similar mission to Singapore, Hong Kong, Colombo, and Aden. His and General Massingberd’s reports will be colated and submitted to the Committee on Imperial Defence, in readiness for the discussions with the Empire Prime Ministers.

SIR JOHN SIMON’S TASK

LONDON, February 25. “The. Times. in a leading article, says: ‘<Even if Sir John Simon’s visits to Berlin, and possibly to Moscow, fail, he will demonstrate that the National Government’s object is that of making every effort and of abandoning every prejudice in order to secure peace in Europe.” GERMAN PRESS APPROVAL. BERLIN, February 26. The newspapers generally welcome Sir John Simon’s visit. The “Borsen Zeitung” says that it will not only help to improve Anglo-German relations, but will serve the cause of world peace. PRESS COMMENTS

RUGBY, February 26.

■The “Times” says: The decision for Sir John Simon to visit Berlin was taken by Cabinet at a special meeting. Whether the Foreign Secretary will go alone, or will be accompanied by Mr. Eden, has not yet been decided, and much may depend upon whether the visit to Berlin is to be followed by a visit to Moscow., a question which is still under consideration. The “Times” considers, however, that it may be regarded as practically certain that Sir John Simon will eventually visit Moscow, and probably Warsaw and Prague as well, on his return journey, and it comments: “Such a comprehensive series of visits is easily justified at an exceptional moment in European history, when British influence stands high, and when that influence may possibly be decisively exercised in uniting all the countries behind the plan outlined in the Anglo-French communique.” The “Morning Post” observes that the problem of security in Eastern Europe, which at present is endangered by the suspicion between Germany and Russia, is of supreme importance to the Western Powers, and is therefore brought within the order of a general European settlement envisaged bv the Franco-British communique. ’it adds: Britain, by virtue of its acknowledged detachment, is peculiarly fitted to despatch a statesman in the role of mediator between Berlin and Moscow.

AUSTRIAN MINISTERS. RUGBY, February 26. Dr. Schuschnigg and Ilerr Waldcnegg yesterday visited Mr son. The topics discussed with hit are understood to have covered questions in which he is interested as President of the Disarmament <onteience. and as a leading member ot Hie Labour Party. Mr Vansittart. representing Sir John Simon. Mr Eden, and the Ausliian Minister, were at the station to lid farewell to Dr. Schuschnigg and Herr Waldenegg, when they left LonI don for Vienna, this afternoon. During their two days' visit, the Austrian Ministers gave the members of the British Government full information in regard to current events lin Austria, and their recent conversations with the French Ministers. They also expressed gratitude for the assistance given to Austria by Britain, in effecting the recent conversion of the League of Nations loan.