IN THE COMMONS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1935, Page 6

IN THE COMMONS

AIR SITUATION. • (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 1L The Commons was crowded and the galleries filled, .when Sir Samuel Hoare delivered his eagerly awaited speech surveying the international sit-, uation He spoke first of disarmament ltd the Anglo-German Inaval agreemeat, which he said was in no sense a selfish one. Here was a chance to eliminate what had' been the chief cause of embitterment of public feeling between Britain and Germany l>efore the war—naval competition—to eliminate by a declaration of German representatives, the unrestricted use of submarines against merchant shipping, and to secure an agreement, which, on naval grounds, seemed 'manifestly to the advantage of other naval Powers, including France. His Majesty s Government had no apologies to make for what was pratieically an all-round contribution to peace. Britain was anxious for an air pact, accompanied by air limitation. It looked at first sight a simple affair, but five powers, including France and had to be brought to negotiation and agreement, and France and several other European Governments took the view that it was impossible to disassociate an air pact for certain other conditions of peace that oould be' overlooked. There were many Governments in 1 Europe, that regarded the centre and east of Europe' as dangerous areas; certain of them believed; an air pact separated from the settlement of other questions would make the danger even more acute than it is. He believed that a war started in the east or centre of Europe, would probably lead to a general conflagration, and on this at? count it was essential to deal without delay, with any danger point that might exist. That was the reason why Britain was most anxious to see eastern and Danubian pacts* of non-aggression ratified at the earliest possible moment. Sir Samuel Hoare hoped the German Chancellor would take the steps that the Chancellor indicated he would take, I and give a great impetus to the conclusion of an air pact.