A NEW DANGER IN EUROPE

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 31, 1 August 1923, Page 7

A NEW DANGER IN EUROPE

France Arming Against Britain

A new danger is creeping into the European muddle (says David M .Ghupeh, London correspondent of the International News Service). The already complicated affairs of Europe are being further complicated by An-glo-French air rivalry. The Anglo-French entente, which has been one of the few steadying factors in the European situation, is being further strained by the tremendous air supremacy of France over Great Britain.

The British people are becoming aroused to the speed with which France is arming itself and the tower of military strength which it Js building. Vv r ith this knowledge comes a hint of fear, -followed by clouds of (suspicion. BRITAIN BECOMES SUSPICIOUS. Against whom is France arming? Ixird Birkenhead asked this question It is being re-echoed throughout the British Isles. In the House of Lords, Jn Commons, and in the press there are rapidly growing indications that the British people are becoming aroused over French endeavours to create an impregnable air force.

Already charges are being bandied about that the Bonar Lav/ Government has been intimidated by this French aerial supremacy. George Lansbury, Labour M.P., declared the European policy is controlled by "military strength," These charges have not fallen upon unsympathetic ears. The population of Great Britain has not forgotten the; German air raids during the war. Therefore, they become duly alarmed when they are told by aerial experts that the French air forces are strong enough to wipe out London and other great cities within a short time. When the element of fear enters; it Is generally accompanied by suspicion. That is what is happening in the British Isles to-day. The people arc being told they have need to fear the prependering supremacy of the French air forces and, with their fear, comes glimmerings of suspicion. These glimmering suspicions may isi-ow to a. xsr-QDortion where they will have a telling effect upon European affairs, 4WOTMER RACE FOR ARMAMEJVTS COMING. The British Government is being Urged on all sides to speed up aircraft production, yet it is reluctant to do so lest it will mean embarking upon the old world race in armaments. Yet it seems, unless Premier Bonar Law acts, the charge that his Government represents a policy of "tranquility gone mad," will continue to be made and the people will continue to fear and, ynth their fears, will, come fresh suspicions, and where tbe suspicions will lead no man can tell.

The Anglo-French entente was badly shaken by the French invasion of the Ruhr. It is being joggled every day by knowledge of French air supremacy.

If. the. -entente finally fails, what, next? None can tell, but the outlook for the future will be darker than ever, and even with the entente still technically alive, to-day the outlook is anything but rosy.

These are all pessimistic predictions, but it takes a super-optimist to see any fair prospects in Europe today. _____ •_________ -"■■■■.i •■•'.