DISARMAMENT IDEAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 6 April 1934, Page 12

DISARMAMENT IDEAL.

“A FOOLISH ILLUSION.” THE BRITISH VIEW. While the British Government is hunting with France for a formula on the question of French security, the whole force of the national Press is concentrated upon advocacy of a policy ensuring Britain’s own security, says the London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald under date March 29. Disarmament is described on all sides as a foolish illusion, and it is pointed out that, while other nations are steadily strengthening their fighting forces in the air, on the land, and at sea, England persists in the role of the lamb among the wolves. Germany, despite her heavy deficit, has increased her air appropriation from £3,000,000 to £10,000,000. Franco plans an additional defence expenditure of £50,000,000, and America is preparing to build 1000 new ’planes. Of all this the British Government is well aware, but it is determined to hold its hand while a vistage of hope of world disarmament remains. It will not, however, wait indefinitely, this fact being made clear by the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Neville Chamberlain) in a speech at Newcastle last week.

CHANCELLOR'S STATEMENT. Mr Chamberlain stated plainly that the time might not be far distant when the people would be called upon to provide “all the money the Government may want” to strengthen the country’s armed forces. He had no doubt that they would do so if they were asked. There & some authority for stating that, in the event of final failure of the disarmament discussions, the Government will embark on a building programme that will give Britain the most powerful navy and air force in the world at a total cost of £100,000,000, which would probably be raised by a special loan. It will not be surprising if this scheme is put into effect earlier than most people expect, although it would first be necessary to prepare the public for its acceptance. That would naturally be a task of Government speakers backed by the Press, which is already eager to give support. DALLYING WITH FRANCE. Meanwhile, there is much criticism of the manner in which the Government is dallying with France on the security issue, the predominant feeling among Englishmen being definitely against specific foreign commitments. The French Government is pushing hard to persuade Britain to enter into new guarantees, urging particularly an agreement in principle to guarantee execution of a disarmament convention by consenting to join in punitive measures against any country violating it, and guarantee France and other Powers against all risk of aggression. It is said that an assuronce on these points is a necessary preliminary to a renewal of the disarmament discussions, although not ostensibly so. This is obviously an attempt do manoeuvre Britain into an alliance for which in its present temper the British public has no taste.