AIR FORCES

Grey River Argus, 2 August 1934, Page 5

AIR FORCES

BRITISH INCREASE EYE TO GERMANY Her Strength Hidden (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 31 The Government’s conditional program me of adding to air defence secured the House of Commons’ approval by 404 votes to 60. The programme is one for increasing during the next five years, the Royal Air Force by 41 squadrons. Mr Baldwin is his speech in sup port, said that the difficulty of working for the Disarmament Convention had been increased not only by the absence of Germany from international courcils, but by the fact there seemed throughout the year little probability ol getting Germany in the near future to oin -once more in these discussions. Moreover, there had been events in various parts of Europe creating a greater sense of uneasiness than hitherto had been experienced. There was a spirit abroad in parts of Europe which, if it could not be curbed, might sonic day make the task on which their thoughts centred, impossible of achievement. It was in these circumstances they had seen the majority ■ f nations, working on this question of disarmament move towards increasing their armaments rather than decrease them The future was uncertain. They could not tell yet whether success would attend the formation of the Eastern agreement. and this uncertainty must have its reactions on the work at Geneva. Another factor which must exercise important influence on the whole question was the success or otherwise of next year’s naval conference.

Mr Baldwin recalled that for many years Britain had in effect .followed the policy of unilateral disarmament and fh c 52 squadron programme proposed in 1923 towards ratifying the excessive weakness had not been followed out. That programme had been repeatedly retarded, not .on the ground it was unnecessary, but on the ground they must set an example to other countries, an example that had not been followed. The Government’s new programme would raise the number of machines from 488 to 304. if it were caried out in its integrity to a term of five years. II C agreed with, the Leader of the Opposition that an immence responsibility rested on Britain for the peace of EJurope. The step they were taking would not militate against that peace, but would rather a.d security. Although the proposals would not bring Britain to parity, they were ,-j considerable step towards it, ami without them. Britain would be incapable of effective co-operation in any system of collective security under the League. Mr Baldwin said that there was no cause at all for panic of any kind. So far as he could see. there was no risk in the immediate future of peace being broken, but after a careful review of the whole >itnation, the Government was convinced they would be neglecting their duty if they delayed these proposals any longer. J.t would be perfectly possible to accelerate tho programme in case of need just as it would be possible to decelerate it if there shbuld be a happier outcome of the conversations at Geneva. As to the protection of civil population against air raids, the Government fe't their plans had been carried as far as possible without that wider publicity that the Government had hitherto deemed not to be in public interests. The next stage involved communication With local authorities, public util ity companies and all those on whom the responsibility for action would fall in an emergency. Before long, steps would be taken to communicate the necessary instructions to the general public. The greatest crime to thei r own people was to Bq afraid to tell them the truth; “We are too apt in this country to believe that all people who run the world are animated by the ideals that animate us. This is not true at this moment. There are in this world igns of the form of force being used which shows a spirit which if it becomes powerful enough might mean the end of all that we in this country value, and which we believe makes our life worth living. Let us never forget that the old frontiers have gone, and that when you think of defence of England, you no longer think of tho chalk cliffs of Dover, you think of the Rhine.”

Having regard to the circumstances existing in the World to-day, consistent with their own position, and tho position with other countries, and with the present political tendencies in Europe, he had the confidence of approval for the measures which he considered absolutely necessary. A speech of considerable importance was made by Sir John Simon. Ho said that they could not admit that the continuance of tho Disarmament Conference should impose restrictions on Britain, which other Powers did not observe. He had unfortunately i never found that Britain’s disarmament helped disarmament at Geneva. “N<> doubt it has given us a strong mora.' position,” he said, “but a sense of rectitude is not always the best way’of persuading others to repent. Dealing with questions asked .by Mr Winston Churchill, as to> whether Germany was observing her obligations in the peace treaties, in regard to military air forces, Sir John Simon said he was sorry to say that Ger many’s air development was very marked, and the large sums spent under the proclaimed heading of “Givil Aviation’’ were very strange. There was a douiblp purpose Co which many of the air machines might be put. There were no treaty limitations on the development of German civil aviation, and special difficulty urosy when estimating the possible

co-operation of Germany’s aeroplanes to operate in connection with bombing. Germany probably had the highly developed air service in Europe He apprehended that commercial machines of sufficient size and with the quality of high speed, were able to lift bombs, just as they were able to lift passengers and luggage. which fact must be considered in estimating the air power of any country. The Government could not disclose all the information they had. but he might say that they had formed their proposals after full considera tion of the estimates from all available quarters. The purpose of tho-se proposals was to secure, among other things, that at no moment would Britain fail to hav G a military air force adequate to the circumstances with which she may have to deal.

Bit John Simon said that the Committee of the League had not resumed it meetings, but the Government had not left its subject matter unconsidered. It was the absence of Germany that constituted the main obstacle, and that was of special gravity, when the question to be discussed was the possibility of effectively Control ling the misuse of civil aircraft, for Germany must be a party to such negotiations.

The Commons met. this morning, for the last time before the adjournment for the .summer recess, which extends to October 30.

Replying to questions. Mr Eder said that no reply had been received from the German or the Polish Governments concerning ithe prop’osiod Eastern mutual guarantee pact.