Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1934 MENACE FROM THE AIR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 9 March 1934, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1934 MENACE FROM THE AIR

IF what the Soviet Government’s Commissar of Finance is reported to have said is true, Russia will have, in 1937, an air-force which will include a million expert' pilots, half-a-million trained bombers, half-a-million ; reserve scout , gliders, and aeroplanes sufficient for the j use of this formidable army of airmen: j Russia, in fact, will be able well-nigh to darken the air with her aeroplanes, and to devastate cities, towns, and villages of her enemy by the thousand, if she is forced to put her powers of destruction into operation in self-defence, or is prompted to attempt to promote Lenin s doctrines abroad by force rather than persuasion. But of course what Russia can do other countries can do equally well. There is no doubt that the statement of Russia’s Commissar of Finance will be noted by other Great Powers of Europe, and that by the date mentioned, ■ that Continent will possess fightingaeroplanes, not merely by the million, but by tens of millions —if necessary. Of course the Russian figures possibly may be discounted materially, but the fact remains that tlio Soviet Government is creating a high air-fleet, primarily for defence, but possible of being used for aggressive purposes with devastating effect; and the result must necessarily be that the rest of the European nations will create aerialfleets and defences with which to meet the Russian menace. In these circumstances, it will be quite impossible for Great Britain to do otherwise than follow suit and create an air-force capable of giving her at least some measure of protection against attack from the air, if she is not to be the victim of unpreparedness, should Germany seek revenge for the indignities put on her by the Versailles Treaty. There is time for her to make ready, though none to waste. If the Premier of Belgium and M. Dorlodot of that country are correct, Germany lias not only “recovered its strength and importance,” but may be expected to attack from the air on the first day of hostilities. What with the Russian and Belgian statements it is evident that the internationalists of the British Government are living in a fools’ paradise, and that if the nation wants protection it will have to wake up, and put into power men who will create without delay those means of protection which will give it reasonable security against attack from the air. Of course the sensible thing would he for all the Great Powers of Europe to form themselves into a Confederation, as was suggested by a great French statesman some few years ago, and agree to turn their swords into pruning-hooks. Russia would probably have to be omitted from such an arrangement, but, even so, the agreement of the rest of Europe to live in amity would permit of a great measure of disarmament, and yet leave in existence sufficient means of protection to - insure safety. * But Sir John Simon’s recent experience is sufficient proof as to tile impossibility of bringing the nations of the European Continent into agreement upon suggestions for disarmament. So it is clear that Great Britain has no option but to arm herself adequately, if she is to be ready to meet the emergencies which may occur in the future. On the sea she is reasonably secure. Her navy gives her security against military invasion, hut from the air she is vulnerable, and it is from the air that she has to fear attack, as is made sufficiently clear by the Russian and Belgian statesmen, to whom reference has been made. These- facts are well understood by the British authorities, as was shown by the statement, published, yesterday, of the British Air Ministry and the Admiralty. Air MacDonald is a potential danger, because of his tendency to live in the land of dreams, instead of amid the alarming realities, such as have been disclosed by- the Moscow and Brussels’ Governments. The nations of the Empire would willingly contribute their quotas t,o the aerial defence of England, if required to do so. But England is well able to create unaided 1 the air-force necessary for her protection, and it will ho a relief to the rest of the Empire when she intimates clearly that without delay and with complete thoroughness sho intends to create such atrial armaments as will i give her ample protection. I