“WRITING ON WALL”

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 March 1935, Page 7

“WRITING ON WALL”

Conflicting Opinions Over Necessity for Defence Increases LABOUR MEMBERS OPPOSED ‘SUBSERVIENCE TO FRANCE’ (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright). LONDON, March 5. Labour members of the House of Comhions. wholeheartedly oppose the increase in the defence estimates, and Labour is certain to table a vote of censure.

The Daily Herald says “an armaments race is on. Mr MacDonald and his colleagues justify it with precisely the sort of arguments that Herr Hitler and General Goering use in Germany. Mr MacDonald dismisses the international macninery for maintaining peace as unreliable. Thus Mr MacDonald attempts to frighten people into condoning the policy which led to the Wprld .War." The News-Chronicle in a leader says: “Pew will suspect the Government of planning to make war. The real charge against Mr MacDonald and his colleagues is of being mostly elderly and cynical. They have never been inspired by passionate faith in the League ideal and have never really crusaded for disarmament. Now they have wearily let generals and admirals persuade them to abandon their attempts. The publication of the increased armament estimates is almost tantamount to sabotaging Sir John Simon’s mission to Berlin and Moscow.’’

“TBAGIC DOCUMENT."

“The most tragic document since the war,’’ was Lord Snowden’s comment after hearing the broadcast of Mr' MacDonald’s defence statement, according to the News-Chronicle. Lord Snowden remarked: “The excuse that Germany is responsible for our increased armaments is terrible, coming on the eve of Sir John Simon’s going to Berlin. The whole document might have been drawn up by the French Foreign Office. Britain’s subservience to Prance has led us into one war and seems likely to lead us into another.’’

Publication of the White Paper is regarded in Prance as significant in view of Sir John Simon’s visit to Berlin and the corresponding French defence measures, says a Paris message. It is hoped that Germany will rightly read the writing on the wall. The Times in a leader says: “The necessity for defence increases is proved. The foundation for limiting armaments, despite three years of effort, has not yet been laid. Sir John Simon and Mr Anthony Eden’s negotiations afford the best prospects of establishing a system that will result in the diminution of the national contingents. Negotiations should be conducted in order to obtain a settlement acceptable to all. Britain still proclaims confidence in the iiltimate triumph of peaceful efforts.’’

Tho White Paper is featured in all the morning newspapers. Besides the rise of the phrase '‘National Government" the paper is unusual for the concluding, initials J.E.M. Mr MacDonald clearly did this in his capacity of chairman of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Nevertheless it is regarded as curious that a single Minister should sign an official statement of Government policy.

MR MACDONALD DISILLUSIONED

A political correspondent of the Daily Express says Sir Maurice Hankey’s report after his Empire tour was such that it was resolved to increase the defensive forces without delay. The Leads of all the fighting services joined Sir Maurice Hankey in his strong representations.

“Mr MacDonald was disillusioned on hi.; visits to Geneva and believed it was hopeless to get results from the Disarmament Conference." adds the paper. “He never believed in an endless j oliey of one-si(L .{ disarmament and decided on the act;cn. He personally drew up the White Paper in consultation with Sir John Simon, who also is a disillusioned man. Close students detect many evidences of the authorship of Mr MacDonald, who purposely chose the unusual course of initialling the documents to indicate his complete agreement with the policy." The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says that the plain statement regarding Germany’s rearmament and the militaristic upbringing of German youth i 3 regarded as providing a pointer for the coming Berlin conversations. It is the Government’s considered view that the pacific declarations of Germany’s leaders would be more reassuring if they were accompanied by proof of a halt in this menacing policy. It is understood leading members of the Government are insistent that this point shall be emphasised to Herr Hitler.

A political correspondent of the News-Chronicle says that he is authoritatively informed that the Government is planning a total increase in defence expenditure of nproximately £60,000,000 during the next four or five years.