BRITISH RECRUITING

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1939, Page 7

BRITISH RECRUITING

HALF-MILLION TERRI-

TORIALS

‘ Without Conscription

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT.

[British Official Wireless.! RUGBY, March 29.

The Territorial Field Army is to be brought forthwith .up to war establishment and the war establishment is to be’doubled, making 32 divisions available for service overseas in place of the 19 divisions announced by Mr Hore Belisha three weeks ago. This announcement of the increase in the establishment of the Territorials was made in the Commons by Mr Chamberlain.

The proposed .Territorial Field Army does not include 80,000 anti-aircraft forces, and other non-field units. Thus presumably the total Territorial strength of all units will be nearly 500,000. Mr Chamberlain stated in the Commons that the Government felt Britain could demonstrate that the voluntary system was an answer to all needs. This is interpreted to mean that the Government is not introducing conscription. Mr Chamberlain indicated that this increase of the Territorials was the first result of the re-examination of every aspect of national life, which, as he stated in his Birmingham speech, was necessitated by the new international situation. In the course of this review, the Government had been impressed with the need for availing itself still further of the spirit of voluntary service, which was manifest throughout the country, and in particular the Government felt that it could not allow would-be recruits of the Territorial Army to be refused, because the units to which they applied were already over strength. Accordingly, the Territorial Field Army which was now on a peace establishment of 130,000 mcri, would be raised forthwith to war establishment—an addition of about 40,000 men. The Territorial Field Army, so brought up to war establishment, would be doubled and would therefore be allotted an establishment of 340,000 men. The Prime Minister mentioned that the increase in the war potential strength was necessary to maintain the increased force, and, in reply to Sir A. Sinclair, who raised the question of the Ministry of Supply, he said that the Government had not yet had an opportunity of considering whether the increase would require any modification of the views which the Government had hitherto held, on that question, but it would give the matter full consideration. Mr Chamberlain also confirmed the assumption voiced by Mr Greenwood, that the proposal was evidence of the Government’s opinion that they had not by any means exhausted what could be done by voluntary service, which could be demonstrated to have the ability of meeting all the country’s needs.

CONSCRIPTION DISCUSSED WITH FRANCE. Mr Chamberlain, in a previous answer, admitted that the question of compulsory national service was discussed in conversations with M. Bonnet last week, but he declined to divulge what passed in the course of those conversations. Sir A. Sinclair pledged the Liberals’ support for recruitment. Mr Bellringer asked: Will this make any difference in the number of divisions Mr Hore Belisha announced on March 8 as available for overseas service? , ~ .. Mr Chamberlain: Yes, it doubles the number ultimately available. The extent of British-French cooperation is increasingly revealed. It is learned that General Georges, the right-hand man of General Gamehn, has been in England incognito for a fortnight. The Air Minister, M. La Chambre, will come to London on Monday, to confer with Sir Kingsley Wood on Tuesday.

GENEVA IN THE DISCOUNT. Britain does not favour calling a meeting of the League Council to consider the international situation, and prefers at the present time to conduct consultations upon issues arising from recent events, through ordinary diplomatic channels, as to whether there is to be a conference of certain States, for a discussion ot the possibilities of common action, as proposed by the Soviet. These points emerged in Commons’ answers by Mr Butler. CHAMBERLAIN NOT TO BE DRAWN. Mr Chamberlain was asked by Mr Boothby to give favourable consideration to a proposal for summoning immediately a conference of Powers whose interests lie in the preservation of peace in Eastern Europe, and for an assurance that the object of the diplomatic negotiations which the Government was now conducting was not merely a joint declaration on the part of the Powers interested in the maintenance of peace, but the conclusion of a definite pact of mutual defence against aggression. He confined himself, however, to referring the House to the statement he made at Commons question time yesterday. He added that the Government was in touch with the Soviet.

At another stage, Mr Chamberlain repeated the assurance already given that, as soon as he had anything to report on the negotiations with other Governments, he would give it to the Commons. The Government was fully aware of the urgency of the times, and, as many of the matters under consideration were of a very complicated nature, some time would be spent in making decisions, and acting upon them. Mr Butler informed Mr Mander that the Government would not consider adhering to the French-Soviet pact.

AN EX-MINISTER’S VIEWS. LONDON, March 29. A plea for closer working between the political parties in face of the menace of aggressor States was made in a speech by Mr Duff Cooper. Referring to Signor Mussolini’s speech, he said that had such language beer*

heard ten years ago, it would have provoked horror. The story that Herr Hitler wanted only to unite the Germans in Germany bad now been exposed and exploded by himself with neither excuse nor apology. The time therefore had come for resistance. He thought war couid still be avoided, but only by swift, resolute and united action. Referring to the need for political unity, he urged that other parties should be asked to share in the task of a nat.onal government. The sight of all parties rallying under one leader would have a heartening effect throughout the world. He thought it desirable also to form a smaller body within the whole Cabinet so as to secure rapidity of decision. (Received March 30, 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 30.

The British aircraft force is expected shortly to reach one hundred thousand men, making the total territorial strength 440 thousand.

CONFIDENCE IN CHAMBERLAIN.

LONDON, March 29.

Over 150 members of the Commons have tabled an amendment to Mr Eden’s motion. The amendment reads “The House affirms its complete confidence in the Prime Minister, and deprecates any attempt, at the present critical time, to undermine the confidence of the House-or the country, in the Prime Minister and the Government.”

Two of the signatories to the motion have withdrawn.

FRANCE’S ORDER.

FOR AERO ENGINES.

MONTREAL, March 29.

It is reliably reported that France has placed an order for 200 Pratt Whitney airplane engines, supplementing the orders placed in February for 800 machines. The total cost will be approximately 14,000,000 dollars. It is also understood that France has taken options for a further 200 engines, valued at 3,000,000 dollars.

CANADA’S POSITION.

NEUTRALITY QUESTION

OTTAWA, March 29.

“When-.the King is at war, the whole Empire is at war. Consequently, Canada cannot declare her neutrality in the event of a European war involving Britain,” Mr W. F. O’Connor, Senate counsel, informed the Upper Chamber, in a requested report on the Briitsh North America Act, which established Canada and the King’s personality as indivisible. Such acts as are authorised in his name are merely for the purposes of Empire administration, and have no legal basis under English common law.

PALESTINE POLICY.

CLAIMED TO BE IMPERIALISTIC.

LONDON, March-29.

In the course of a paper read before the Royal Society, on "What is the British Empire?” Lord Sankey dissented from the idea that the Balfour Declaration of 1926 was a diplomatic gesture, of which lawyers have made something which was never intended. He added that it was the logical outcome of a policy of statesmanship, the continuance of which would keep the Empire together, and would ensure that its members would 'stand side by side in any great test of future existence. '

THE “HAVE-NOTS.”

COLONIES MONOPOLY ISSUE.

LONDON, March 29.

Lord Sankey, in a paper read to the Royal Society, discussed the claim that the colonial position could be equalised by surrenders to the “have-nots.” Lord Sankey said that unconditional surrender of any of our colonies was not a question of practical politics. Another plan would be to remove restrictions, and enable the “have-nots” to obtain what they want in -materials.

The question of what use might be made of a ceded colony, in the event of a future war, must receive careful consideration, and Britain was entitled to an answer to this question.

BRITISH TRADE POLICY.

[British Official Wifeless.] RUGBY, March 28. The President of the Board of Trade (Mr Stanley) was asked in the Commons if, in view of the growing volume of subs’dised German imports, he would consider the imposition by legislation of special anti-dumping duties on the lines of those imposed by America. He replied that the subject of subsidised competition in the United Kingdom market had been considered on a number of occasions, and he saw no reason to differ from the conclusion reached, that the existing tariff system was adequate to deal with competition of this kind. Denmark has made an offer, which has been accepted by Britain, to provide facilities during 1939 for increasing by about 23,000,000 kroner the imports of a wide range of United Kingdom goods One of the biggest individual orders for steel work in Britain has been placed by the Air Ministry with the TeesidA Bridge and Engineering Company of Middlesborough. The order is for nearly £1,000,000 worth of constructional steel, mostly to be used for building aerodrome sheds for air defence.