ARMAMENT RACE

Grey River Argus, 28 July 1925, Page 5

ARMAMENT RACE

ROAD TO RUIN.

BRITISH PROTESTS. (Aus. and A.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 25.

M Garvin, in a remarkable article

in thy “Observer,” dealing with tne cruiser decision, declares: — The Admiralty intlieted the first damaging blow against the administration. AVfthn a measurable perod, either the budget or tne Gover.iment must come down. Two vital principles have been violated, which must be re-impos-ed within a year at any political cost, namely’ economy first, and civil control. The Navy’s voice should be heard, but should not be allowed to be dominated. In the case of future Admiralty ultimatums, a strong Prime Minister should instantly accept tne whole Board’s resignations. Ai'e are spending .115 millions upon the navy, army’ and air force. It must lie reduced. Ln this air age, it still leaves the heart of the Empire mor e perilously exposed titan at any’ peril)'.! in history’. Germany’ lost the battle of the Marne, because it spent too little on the army, owing to the cost of the navy. For Britain to attempt to maintain three great lighting services is to court financial and strategic disaster. The Admiralty’s policy would destroy peace time economic foundations. Our defence would, be exhausted in advance. I’ubliJ faith in Mr Baldwin will remain shaken by the past week’s event. NEAA’ YORK, July 25. A despatch from AA'illiams-town (Mass.) says: “Statesmen of Continental Europe fear that the great military organisation of their countries, growing out of war, may get beyond their control and force the Ministers out.”

So Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice, of the British General Staff during the war, told the Institute oi Polities Conference on limited armaments to-day.

Noting that the large majority of statesmen of all the great countries placed armament limitation i.i the forefront, of their political-programmes, General Maurice said that he did not undervalue that idealistic side of the issue, but he declared the opinion that limitation has become a practical necessity’ now, and is so general ns to predicate some general course of action.