Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 25, 1939 BRITAIN’S DEFENSIVE MEASURES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 January 1939, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 25, 1939 BRITAIN’S DEFENSIVE MEASURES

THE speech which the British Prime Minister delivered when inaugurating the National Service Campaign throws indirectly considerable light on the European situation, which is unsettled, though perhaps not immediately dangerous. There are in existence in Central Europe elements which are inimical to the existing peace which the Continent enjoys, and the head of the British Government evidently had them in mind when he said, “The better we are prepared the less likely it is that any aggressor will try an adventure on which the chances of success would be so unpromising.’ It is to be noted that there was nothing provocative in the speech. Plainly it was delivered with the object of putting the British people on their guard, and to induce them, among other things, to take precautions against airraids which may be anticipated if the peace of Europe were broken and Great Britain found herself obliged to adopt an attitude of defence. Visualising an England well prepared to resist attack from the air, Mr Chamberlain pointed out that the necessary protective organisations must be created in peace-time “for there will be no time to train after a war starts. Therefore the scheme is merely common prudence.” There is another point: the suggested precautionary measures will not bring a clash any nearer—indeed, , they might be the means of preventing trouble, for their existence might cause a prospective foe to hesitate to raid England’s well-guarded towns and shires. Whatever the activities of the organisations which Mr Chamberlain addressed, it must be understood that their work does not interfere with the development of the Royal Air Force in which Canadian works are assisting. The fact is that England is taking extraordinary precautions against attack from ) the air, and it is not surprising little, if any, information is being given of the nature or magnitude of such precautions. Mr Chamberlain was apparently careful not to give any indication as to what is being done, when he made the speech to which reference has been made, but he asked “all who are ready to volunteer, and who are not already engaged in work essential for the country’s security to choose some form of service outside their ordinary work.” No doubt the greatest possible expedition is being used in implementing the precautions which the Government is taking to meet possible menace from the air. The cablegram, portions of which have been quoted, indicates the confidence with which the British Government confronts the possibilities of the future, and emphasis is laid on the fact that it expects the nation “to show the world what a free people are prepared to do in defence of their liberties and ideals.” Doubtless the response will be emphatic and formidable. There will be need for organisation and training, but the spirit of the English nation is such that there will be willing response to Mr Chamberlain’s appeal. Commencing to-day, twenty mil-

i lion copies of the “National Service Guide” are being distributed |to the people of Britain, giving ! details of the various services open to men and women of all ages. In commending this j “Guide” and its objects, Sir | Auckland Geddes used these sig- ! nificant words: “We are now i living on the frontier in all wars hitherto we have been protected by our fleet, but now, owing to the air peril, we might well be part of the Continent, and must, therefore, be ready to meet the first blow.” The National Service Campaign, which i the British Premier inaugurated, is a nation-wide movement necessitated by the regrettable progress of events on the Continent which continue to cause grave concern, notwithstanding anti-war pacts land Mr Chamberlain’s strenuous and persistent endeavours in the | cause of appeasement.