Britain Increases Her Air Estimates

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 55, 7 March 1935, Page 7

Britain Increases Her Air Estimates

Continuing inferiority No Longer To Be Tolerated

Flexible Programme To Accord With Requirements

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 5

Air Estimates for 1935 were issued this morning. They total £23,853,100, a gross increase of £3,685,500 on those of last year. In a memorandum accompanying the Estimates the Secretary of State for Air, Lord Londonderry, points out that his Majesty’s Government made it plain when publishing the Air Estimates in 1934 that they could not, in the interests of national and Imperial security, accept the position of continuing inferiority in the air.

Accordingly last summer, in view of the rapid development of foreign air forces and the absence of concrete results from the Disarmament Conference, the Government reluctantly decided they had no option but to undertake the long-delayed expansion of the Royal Air Force.

Tho programme announced to Parliament last July provides for tho addition of 414 squadrons by the end of 1938, and, when completed, the total first lino strength of tho Royal Air Force in regular squadrons will be approximately 1330 aircraft, plus some 130 aircraft in non-regular squadrons. Four of tho 41$ additional squadrons were formed in 1934, and a further 25 are to bo formed in 1935 and in 1936. In 1935 12 new squadrons will be added to tho homo defence force, which will then consist of 54 squadrons—-41 regular and the remainder auxiliary Air Force or special reserve squadrons. The fleet air arm will be increased by 19 first-lino aircraft. Nineteen existing squadrons will also bo re-equipped in the course of tho year. New formations will raise the total strength of the Royal Air Force, including the fleet air arm, to the equivalent of 1064 squadrons, being 93$ regular squadrons supplemented by 13 nourcgular squadrons of the home defeuco force.

“ Air Impregnability ”

BERLIN, March 5,

The programme is being so arranged that it will be possible to retard or accelerate it in accordance with tho requirements of the international situation. His Majesty’s Government believe that the conclusion of the proposed air pact, to afford security against aerial aggression in Western Europe, would be of tho utmost value in the maintenance of European peace, and they earnestly hope it may facilitator the early limitation of the air forces of the world by general international agreement. A net increaso is shown in the total vote for civil aviation of £82,000 over the 1934 figure. This is mainly duo to the urgent necessity for improvement and development of ground organisation on Empire air routes to facilitate operation by night as well as day. Improved ground organisation will, also assist in the inception of the projected Empire air transport scheme for carriage of all first-clafes mails by air whenever possible. Negotiations are in progress for an air service to connect Hong Kong with tho main Australian route a* Bangkok, and plans arc under consideration for linking the British West African Colonics with the trunk route to South Africa. It has not yet been possible to inaugurate the projected air service to connect Bermuda with New York, but it is hoped that it will be in operation towards the” end of this year or early in 1936. The subsidy to light aeroplane clubs is increased to £25,000, compared with £16,000 last year.

Maitenance of Peace

REGRET AT FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS

Received Wednesday, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, March 5,

Sir Herbert Samuel during the defence debate on March 11 will move regretting that the Government’s negotiations with other countries havo not resulted in a greater assurance for the maintenance of peace, but in largelyincreased armament expenditure. Labour will havo preference with a censure motion, the terms of which have not at present been decided.

Navy Estimates Also Up

Received Thursday, 1.15 a.m. LONDON, March G,

The Navy Estimates total £60,050,000, an increase of £2,500,000. Civil and service Estimates thus • far issued total £554,000,000, an increase of £13,500,000. Experimental Craft “PICK-A-BACK” IDEA LONDON, March 5. In announcing the Air Estimates Lord Londonderry stated that the vote for provision of experimental aircraft includes a contribution-to Imperial Airways for the construction of a composite aircraft whereby a heavily-loaded seaplane would be mounted upon a lightly-loaded flying-boat, from which the seaplane would be released when sufficient height was attained.

Sir John Simon’s Visit to Berlin POSTPONED AT REQUEST OF HITLER BERLIN, March 5. Sir John Simon’s visit to Berlin has been postponed at the request of Herr

Hitler, who is suffering from a cold. The length of tho postponement of conversations has not been indicated. Evening papers publish a photograph of Hitler hatless, wearing a light ovoreoat; and cheerfully chatting with an official at the motor show on March 4th.

“Nuchtansgabc, ” witli unconscious irony, prints the picture next to tho laconic announcement of Hitler’s indisposition.

BERLIN’S SPECTACULAR BLACKOUT.

Although the military theory so far is that tho most effective defence against aerial raiders . is to counterattack on the enemy’s cities, Germany is now aiming at “air impregnability,” including abundance of gas proof and fire proof cellars, with the population knowing how to behave in the event of a raid.

In addition to Berlin’s spectacular blackout on March I9th, various districts in the capital are nightly carrying out air protection exercises.

Foreign diplomats, including the British Embassy are reported to have agreed to co-operate in the blackout by darkening windows and motor lights. Meanwhile, a huge excavation, the size of I’icadilly Circus is being made tho centre. Berlin hordings, screening entrances and excavations are strictly guarded. It is believed huge collars are being constructed as usablo for garages in peace time and protection in wartime.

White Paper’s Reception in Berlin STORM OF PROTEST \ , BERLIN, March 5. Tho newspapers publish only short summaries of the White Paper. Leaders regarding the White Paper, which is resented throughout Germany, amount to a storm of protest. Britain’s action is generally described as unfriendly. The AngrifE describes it as an attempt to intimidate Germany on the eve of negotiations by attributing Britain’s rearmament to Germany’s spirit, and adds: “It is a piece of antiquated diplomacy which lias tailed to achieve its purpose.”

Diplomatic Illness ? CYNICAL SUGGESTION LONDON, March 5. Tho News-Chronicle, in a leader, says that tho White Paper lias almost extinguished the hopes kindled by the Anglo-French conversations. Herr Hitler’s diplomatic illness reflects a disastrous recrudescence of German suspicion and fear of encirclement. Herr Hitler doubtless wants time to reconsider the position. The British Government in 24 hours has immeasurably worsened the international situation. The force of pacific public opinion may yet recall it to its senses.

The Sun-Hcralcl correspondent says that while cynics declare that "Hitler caught cold between the sheets of the White Pajcr,” British official comment is limited to Sir Eric Phipps’ telegram, to the effect that possibly Herr Hitler’s indisposition is more serious than is generally believed. It is known that he has been iu ill health for the past year, but withheld the fact from the German people. His visit to Saarbrucken at the week-end, without overcoat, in drenching rain, may have aggravated the Lrouble.

On the contrary, if the White Paper is responsible for the postponement of Sir John Simon’s visit, the British Government will take a most disquieting view, realising that nothing is likely to emerge from the consultations because they constitute a further German attempt to create a cleavage between Britain and France.

France and Britain APPROVAL OF PRESS PARIS, March 5. The newspapers generally approve the White Paper. The Petit Parisien says that Britain makes clear that her ardent desire for peace does not go to the point of closing

her eyes to the total militarisation of the Reich.

The Echo de Paris hopes that Britain’s example will open M. Ilaudin s ejes to the immediate necessity of extending military service, but says that it is insufficient to reply to German armaments by similar measures; it is necessary to unite the pacific peoples of Europe.

Hitler's Decision Followed Perusal of White Paper

NOTHING TO LOSE BY SEEING SIR JOHN SIMON Received Wednesday, 8.40 p.m. LONDON, March 6. The newspapers almost unanimously deduce that Hitler’s postponement of tho conversations with Sir John Simon was due to tho contents of the Wbito Paper rather than to indisposition, though there is a possibility that the latter has developed in view of the leader's exposure during his visit to Saarbrucken, when he stood for hours without an overcoat in the rain. It is learned definitely that Hitler’s decision followed and did not precede perusal of the White Paper. Nevertheless, it is believed there is considerable disappointment in certain official circles in Berlin, in which the opinion is expressed that the leader had everything to gain and nothing to lose by seeing Sir John Simon.

• It is believed here that an interview will take place in due course, but the diplomatic ground will require to be prepared anew.