ARMY ESTIMATES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 5 March 1935, Page 5

ARMY ESTIMATES

Britain’s Forces Greatly Below Modem Standards BIG IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED MATERIAL AND NUMBERS (British Official Wireless) Received 1.45 p.m. to-daj T . RUGBY, March 4. ■ The Army estimates for 1935 were issued this morning, and the air estimates will appear to-morrow and the Navy estimates on Wednesday. The current Army estimates show a moderate increase. The reason for this is that after careful consideration of the problem in all its aspects, the Government has reached the conclusion that, in view of the existing conditions, they cannot allow to continue the decline in the strength of British armaments on sea and land which resulted from the deliberate postponement of defensive measures hitherto sanctioned rather than endanger the success of efforts to consolidate peace and disarmament. The conclusion has been reached that measures must be taken to ensure an adequate standard of defence, but the decision .marks no departure from the' British Government’s aim at .promoting disarmament and peace, and the policy now put into operation is elastic and capable of adjustment in accordance with circumstances.

For 1935 the army estimates are £43,550,900, an increase of £3,950,000 on those of last year. In a memorandum the Secretary for War points out that they nevertheless are still nearly £1,000,000 less than they were 10 years ago. He says for the Army to be prepared to fulfil its defensive role much work and considerable expenditure will be involved in bringing it up to modern standards of efficiency. The installation "and improvement of coast defences at home and abroad and the necessary expansion of anti-aircraft defences are matters of pressing importance. Moreover, the mobile force requires a modernisation' of most implements and equipment. The programme of mechanisation calls for acceleration. Reserves of stores of anti-ammunition need to be augmented, and modern methods of transport and communication have to be adapted for military purposes.

TIME FOR ACTION. In the deliberate judgment of the Government the time has now arrived when action should be taken to bring our military preparations more up-to-date, and provision is included in the estimates for an expenditure on material and for some increase in numbers, as an instalment of the programme, which will necessarily be spread over a series of years. Owing to the financial stringency there are considerable arrears to be caught up in the improvement and modernisation of barrack accommodation.

Attention is also to be paid to more intensive training of both the Tegular and territorial armies. The former has its world-wide commitments as tho imperial police force, and lias to be prepared for any .more serious emergency that may arise. The latter, as the second line of the army, has special obligations for coast defence and anti-aircraft defence. In addition to the modernisation of coast and air defences substantial advances w T ill be made in the mechanisation of the army field artillery and the conversion of light artillery brigades into army field brigades, which will be re-armed with 4.5 Howitzers and 18-pounders.

Considerable progress has been made with light tanks/ A new light machine gun will replace the Lewis gun and further issues of a. light mortar will be made to the infantry. Rfeasons for increases in the 1935 estimates for British defence services are contained in a White Paper issued bv the Government to-day in anticipation of the House of Commons debate on the whole question of Imperial defence which has been arranged for March 11. The "White Paper begins with a statement that the establishment of peace on a permanent footing is the principal aim of the British foreign policy. In pursuit of this object the British Goveminent has accorded, unswerving support to the League of Nations and has collaborated in the promotion of international and regional agreements lor collective security. They are endeavcuring to. bring about a good undeistanding between all the nations, u eluding ex-enemv powers, and have taken the initiative in efforts to secure a reduction and limitation of armaments. Unfortunately, it can no longer be assumed that the existing international political machinery would he sufficient in all cases to maintain peace and although the Government intends to pursue without intermission the national policy of peace, they can no longer close their eyes to the fact that adequate defences are still required for security and to enahie trie British Empire to play its full part ir maintaining world peace. In recent years there has boon n steady decline in the effective strength of British sea and land armaments, while the British people virtually disarmed themselves in the air after the Great War. The British Government have deliberately taken the risk of inadequate armaments rather than endanger any promising effort to consolidate peace, but it has been repeatedly stated that the policy of unilateral disarmament could not be pursued indefinitely and it is now clear that the diminishing of British security has not contributed to general disarmament.

DIFFICULT TASK. In 1931 it became clear that the conclusion of a disarmament agreement would be a lor-- and difficult task. Ger many lias given notice of her withdrawal from the League of Nations, and the Disarmament Conference and is re arming openly on a large scale Japan lias given notice of her withdrawal from the League of Nations, and all larger powers are adding to

their armed forces. Examination shows that, unless serious deficiencies in British defence requirements are remedied, it will not be possible, in the face of aggression, ho secure sea communications, maintain food sup ■ plies and defend the population from air attack. Moreover, the deterrent effect of Locarno treaties and other methods of collective security are weakened by the knowledge that the British contribution, if needed, could have little decisive effect. Accordingly, the Government; had no alternative but to draw up a co-ordinated programme for reconditioning its forces and defences. In the case of the Navy and army, the programme mainly involved tin. essential supply of modern equipment, adequate personnel and reserves. In the case of the Royal Air Force there was ail appreciable increase of units thought immediately necassary. r: In November, 1934, His Majesty’s Government, without condoning a breach of the Treaty of Versailles, drew public attention to German rearmament. If this rearmament continues at the present rate, the existing anxieties of Germany’s neighbours will be increased and peace itself imperilled. The desire for peace, as expressed by German leaders, has beeD welcomed by His Majesty’s Government, but they cannot fail to recognise that not only its forces but the spirit m which the German people are being organised contribute to a, general fceling ofc insecurity. Further, the Goveminent could not overlook the increase in armaments throughout the world. In Russia, Japan, the United States and elsewhere.

FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE. The first line of defence continues to be the navy, which alone can maintain the sea communications essential to- the existence of the country and the Empire. The strength of the navy was limited by treaties, due for reconshjeration this year, and the Government hopes to secure an arrangement that will avoid competition in naval armaments, while leaving Britain to maintain her fleet at a strength necessary for her essential requirements. The fleet must he kept up to date in all respects, and the age of the British capital ships, which remain a decisive element in British naval strategy, necessitates their replacement soon. , The defences of the fleet bases and commercial ports has required modernisation by concerted action between the three .services. The army estimates have to bear the heaviest burden of coast defence and provide tor a laro-e expansion of anti-aircraft equipment. The Royal Air Force has to provide for the protection of the United Kingdom against air attack, for general defence, and for general defence purposes, and in the middle East India and the Far East for cooperation. in coast defence and for the maintenance of a general reserve m the United Kingdom. Technical development in the air increasingly exposes Britain to attack, and from the viewpoint of air defence the integrity of certain territories across the Channel is increasingly vital to the British mte i eS t‘civil POPULATIONSimultaneously with the defensive preparation of the British qrmed forces the Government intends to develop precautionary measures tor the protection of the civil population and essential services against the eftcc , of bombing from the air. The White Paper concludes by emphasising that the proposed defence policy is elastic, and subject to constant review and adjustment in any. direction which the circumstances will demand. His Majesty’s Government maintains its confidence n mate triumph -of peaceful methods and adheres to its primary aim of consolidation or peace, but in the existing conditions additional expenditure on defence can no longer he safely postponed.