Britain Takes Steps to Defend Empire

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 54, 6 March 1935, Page 7

Britain Takes Steps to Defend Empire

Decline in Strength Cannot Longer Be Allowed

Lost Time Made Up For By Increase

in Estimates

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 4

The Army Estimates tor 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 lias reached the conclusion that, in view of existing conditions, it cannot allow to continue the decline in .strength of British armaments on sea and land, which has resulted from the .deliberate postponement of defensive measures hitherto sanctioned in order not to endanger the success of the efforts to consolidate peace and disarmament. The conclusion lias 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 of promoting disarmament and peace, and the policy now put into operation is elastic, and is capable of adjustment in accordance with circumstances. For 1935 the Army Estimates are £43,550,000, an increase of £3,950,000 on those of last year. In a memorandum, the Secretary for War points out that they are nevertheless still nearly £.1,000,000 less than they were ten years ago.

a system that will result in a diminution of national contingents, and negotiations should bo conducted in order to obtain a settlement acceptable to all. Britain still proclaims confidence in the ultimate triumph of peaceful efforts.”

Sequel to Sir Maurice Hankey's

Report ?

Ho says that for the Army to be prepared to fulfil its defensive rolo much work and considerable expenditure will bo involved in bringing it up to tho 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, a mpbile force requires modernisation of most implements and equipment, the programme of mechanisation calls for acceleration, reserves of stores and ammunition need to be augmented, and modern methods of transport and communication have to bo adapted for military purposes.

MR. MacDONALD AND SIR JOHN SIMON DISILLUSIONED MEN

Received Tuesday, 8.25 p.m. LONDON, March 5.

The White Paper is featured by all the morning newspapers. Besides the use of the phruso National, instead of his Majesty’s Government, the paper is unusual for’ the concluding initials, “J.R.M.” Mr. MacDonald clearly did this in liis capacity as 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. The Daily Express’ political correspondent says: “Sir Maurice Hankey’s report after his Empire tour was such that it was resolved to increase the defensive forces without delay. The heads of all the fighting services joined Sir Maurice Hankey in his strong representations. Mr. MacDonald, disillusioned by his visits to Geneva and having no hopo of getting results from the Disarmament Conference, decided on action and 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 otiose the unusual course of initialling the documents to indicate his complete agree-’ ment with tho policy.” The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: “The plain statement regarding Germany’s re-armament and militaristic upbringing of German youth is regarded as providing a pointer coming to the Berlin conversations. It is the Government’s considered view that the pacific declarations of Germany’s leaders would bo more reassuring if they were accompanied by proof of a halt of this menacing policy. It is understood that leading members of the Government arc insistent that this point shall be emphasised to Hitler.”

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 expenditure on material and for some increase in numbers as an instalment of a 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 has also to be paid to a more intensive training of both Regular and Territorial Armies. The former has its world-wide commitments as an Imperial police force, and has to be prepared for any more serious emergency that may arise. The latter, as a second-line army, has special obligations for coast defence and anti-aircraft defence.

In addition to the modernisation of coast and air defences, substantial advances will be made in mechanisation. The mechanisation of horse and of Army field artillery and the conversion of light artillery brigades into Army field brigades, which will be re-armed with a 4.5 in howitzer and an 18-pounder, will continue. Considerable progress has been made with light tanks. A new light machinc-gun would replace the Lewis gun, and further issues of a light mortar would also be made to the infantry.

Sixty Millions in Next Four or Five Years

INTENTIONS OF GOVERNMENT?

Received Tuesday, 8 p.m. LONDON, March 5

Labour Certain to Table Vote of Censure

The News-Chronicle’s political correspondent says that he was authoritatively informed that the Government is planning a total increase in defence expenditure of approximately £60,000,000 during the next four or five years. Lobbies Buzzing ••PREPARATION FOR WAR” LONDON, March 4. The AVhitc Paper is significantly signed by Mr Ramsay MacDonald, as Chairman of the Committee of Imperial Defence. It has been lengthily telegraphed to the Dominions Governments at the week-end. It set the lobbies in Parliament buzzing this afternoon. Members of the House of Commons, carrying copies, eagerly discussed the White Paper. The Liberal's and Socialists are certain to oppose the increase, though the seriousness of the situation has deeply impressed them. A Socialist ex-Minister remarked: “It is clearly preparation for war.” Responsible Government quarters do not attempt to disguiso the gravity of the world situation, saying openly that Germany is a potential menace, rearming left and right and preaching an un-Christian spirit throughout the country among the youth and stimulating a most intense nationalism. Hitler’s protestations of pcaco are one thing and fulfilling them another.

“ARMAMENTS RACE IS ON!’’ Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, March 4. Labour members of tho House of Commons whole-heartedly oppose the increase in the Estimates. Labour is certain to table a vote of censure. The Daily Herald says: “The armaments race is on! Mr. MacDonald and his colleagues justify it with precisely tho sort of argument Hitler and Goering use in Germany. Mr. MacDonald dismisses international machinery for maintaining peace as unreliable. Thus Mr. MacDonald attempts to frighten tho people into condoning a policy which led to the World War.’’

The News-Chronicle, in a leader, says: “Few will suspect the Government of planning to make war. A real charge against Mr. MacDonald and his colleagues is that, 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 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.” The News-Chronicle adjls: “ ‘The most tragic document since the war,’ was Viscount Snowden’s comment after hearing a broadcast of Mr. MacDonald’s statement. Viscount 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 France has led us into one war and seems likely to lead us into another.’ ”

It is further stated that Japan is a less menace than Germany, but even the Japanese activities are “not altogether to be regarded as friendly.” Italy is threatening trouble in Abyssinia. These facts, it is stated, have caused Cabinet to put the position realistically before the country, enabling it to face the dangers and responsibilities. The policy is not from a war-naongering Administration, but from ono comprising notable pacifist elements, who have unanimously presented the White Paper which virtually despairs of anything emerging from the recent attempts at collective security, and instead confirms the impression that the whole world is participating in a hasty re-armament Tace,

The Times, in a leader, says: “The necessity for the defence increases is proved. The foundation for limiting armaments, despite three years’ efforts, has not been laid. Sir John Simon’s and Mr. R. A. Eden's negotiations afford the best prospects of establishing

and the Government is attempting to replace tho Washington Treaty with a building programme of limitation, including a restricted size of capital ships until 1942. It frankly admitted that tho abolition of such warships is not achievable.

Mr Baldwin and Sir John Simoi. will be tho chief Ministers participating in tho debate on March 11. Sir John Simon will fly specially from Berlin.

New Perils to Peace

SECURITY OF EMPIRE

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 4

The reasons for the increases in 1935 Estimates for British defence services arc contained in a White Paper issued by the Government to-day in anticipation of tho Houso of Commons debate on the whole question of Imperial defence, arranged for March 11. Tho Army Estimates published this morning amount to £43,550,000 and are £3,950,000 higher than last year. The Air and Navy Estimates, which are to be issued to-morrow and Wednesday respectively, will also reveal increases on the .1934 totals.

The White Paper begins with a statement that tho establishment of peace on a permanent footing is the principal aim of British foreign policy. In pursuit of this object tho British Government has accorded unswerving support to tho League of Nations and collaborated in- the promoton of international and regional agreements for collective security. They have endeavoured to bring about a good understanding between all nations, including cvcncmy Powers, and havo taken the initiative in efforts to securo a reduction and limitation of armaments. Empire Must Play its Part. Unfortunately, it can no longer be assumed that existing international political machinery would be sufficient in all cases to maintain peace and, although the Government intends to pursue without intermission the national policy of peace, it can no longer close its eyes to the fact that adequate defences are still required for security and to enable the British Empire to play its full part in maintaining world peace.

lu recent years there has been a steady decline in the effective strength of British sea and land armaments, while British people virtually disarmed themselves in the air after the Great War. British Governments 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. In 1034 it became clear that the conclusion of a disarmament agreement would be a long and difficult task. Germany had given notice of her withdrawal from the League and the Disarmament Conference, and was re-arm-ing openly on a large scale. Japan had given notice of withdrawal from the League and all the larger Powers were adding to their armed forces. Examination had shown that, unless the serious deficiencies in British defence requirements were remedied, it would not bo possible in the face of aggression to secure her sea communications, maintain her food supplies, and defend her population from air attack. Moreover the deterrent effect of the Locarno Treaties and other methods of collective security is weakened by the knowledge that the British contribution, if needed, could have little decisive effect. Aceordin glv, the Government had no alternative but to draw up a co-ordinated programme for reconditioning the forces and defences. In the case of the Navy and Army the programme mainly involved is the essential supply of modern equipment, adequate personnel, and reserves. In the case of the Loyal Air Force alone was an appreciable increase of units thought immediately necessary. German Re-armament. In November, 19JJ4, bis Majesty’s Government, without condoning a breach of the Treaty of Versailles, drew public attention to German re-armament. If this rearmament continues .at the present rate, the existing anxieties of Germany’s neighbours will be increased and peace itself may, be imperilled. The desire for peace expressed by German leaders has been welcomed by his Majesty’s Government, but they cannot fail to recognise that not only the forces; but the spirit in which the German people are being organised contribute to the general feeling of insecurity.

Further, the Government could not overlook the increase in armaments throughout the world, in Russia, Japan, the United States, and elsewhere. The first line of defence continues to be the Navy, which alone can maintain sea communications essential to the existence of the country and the Empire. The strength of .the Navy is limited by treaties due for reconsideration 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 be kept up to date in all respects and the age of British capital ships, which remain a decisive element in British naval strategy, ' necessitates their replacement soon.

Defence of Bases and Port 3. The defences of fleet bases and commercial ports required modernisation of their defences by concerted action between the three services. The Army Estimates have to bear the heaviest burden of coast defence and provide for a large expansion of anti-aircraft defences. Moreover, the Army needs to be modernised by the provision of essential equipment. The Koval Air

Force has to provide for the protection of the United Kingdom against air attack, for general defence purposes in the Middle East, India, and Far East, for co-operation in coast defence, and for the maintenance of a general reserve in tho 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 British interest.

Simultaneously with the defensive preparation of British armed forces, the Government intend to develop precautionary measures for the protection of the civil population and essential services against the effects 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 circumstances will demand. His Majesty’s Government maintain their confidence in the ultimate triumph of peaceful methods and adhere to their primary aim of consolidating peace, but in the existing conditions additional expenditure on defence can no longer be safely postponed.

Writing’ on the Wall for Germany

Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. PARIS, March 5.

The publication of the White Paper is regarded as significant in view of Sir John Simon’s Berlin visit; also corresponding with French defence measures. It is hoped that Germany will rightly read the writing on the wall.