AERIAL ARMAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21503, 29 May 1933, Page 8

AERIAL ARMAMENT

The British proposal for the complete abolition of aerial bombardment, except for police purposes in outlying regions, passed its first reading at Geneva, but there was a storm of criticism over the reservation. Perhaps the sarcastic references to reserving this "fruit of civilisation" for a country's own citizens who inhabit remote regions, might have been expected, but »it demonstrates how easily a wellintentioned proposal for reducing the evils of war can be misconstrued in foreign countries, particularly those which do not bear the white man's burden as it is borne by Britain in India. In the hills of the north-west frontier the tribes know no law but that of force. Given the opportunity they will go out on foray at any moment, destroying each other or harrying the peaceful. In the past it has been necessary to maintain large forces to control their turbulence, and the forts of the frontier still require their garrisons. But since the Royal Air Force came into being their task has been made comparatively easy. The knowledge that bombing machines will come out of the blue at the first sign of aggression has done more to keep the peace of the region than anything else. The moral effect upon the tribes has been remarkable, and at the same time there has been far less bloodshed. Before the aeroplane, costly military expeditions had to be sent against the tribesmen. These little wars inevitably resulted in loss of life on both sides. Now they are largely prevented from developing. To deprive Britain or any other country with similar responsibilities of aeroplanes for police work would add greatly to the cost of the military establishment and lead to many lives being sacrificed unnecessarily. The best proof of the genuineness of Britain's intentions is Captain Eden's statement that the acceptance of the proposal would result in the British Air Force being reduced by 50 per cent.