AIR DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21663, 1 December 1933, Page 11

AIR DEFENCE

'BRITISH_PROBLEM EXTENSIVE REDUCTION RELATIVE strengths INFERIOR POSITION CHANGE ESSENTIAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Novemltcr 30. 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY. Nov. '29 In the House of Lords to-day the Puke of Sutherland asked whether the Government proposed to increase the air strength owing to the existing international situation. It was undesirable to rattle the sabre, but the question must bo considered purely from a defensive aspect. '•Destroy London and you destroy England, for you destroy the heart and brain of the country," said the Duke. "Destroy Paris and Franco still lives. Destroy Berlin and Germany still lives. The great Continental countries do not depend on their capitals For their existence, but England depends upon London for her very life-blood. "Other nations have not followed our disarmament example," said the Duke. "An adequate defence force would he enabled to stave off attackers on London. I hope the present activities will r.'bviate the possibility of any country delivering a knock-out." government's Policy Stated

The Government's determination to continue to pursue a policy aimed at achieving effective disarmament in the air was . repeated by the Marquess of Londonderry j Secretary of State for Air., He stated emphatically ( that the Government could not permit a continuance of Britain's present in-

feriority. The Minister said the policy the Government had consistently followed in connection with air disarmament was a sufficient indication that it regarded the problem as of vital moment. When the war closed Britain was. the first air Power in the world, but after the Armistice she dispersed the greater pari of her vast air, fleets, until the country to-day was fifth only,of the world's air Powers in terms of first line strength. All countries had not made public statements of their current strengths, but official figures were available for France and Britain. In Britain's case the figure was approximately 850 aeroplanesi, and in the French Air Force the corresponding figure was about 1650. Example Elicits no Response According to available information Russia's total was between 1400 and 1500, and the United Statea and Italy each between ;1000 and 1100. It was clear .*that Britain's example unhappily had elicited no response whatever in any quarter of the world. This was a path which could be followed no longer and they must, however reluctantly, abandon the policy of unilateral disarmament. /The Government had made it plain, in its successive announcements at Geneva, that it recognised the need for it, one-Power standard in the air for this country. It had offered to go to any length, if other nations would do the same. It had, indeed, stated its willingness to consent to tlao complete abolition of military and naval aviation, provided only that there could be devised an effective scheme for international control of civil aviation which would prevent all possibility of the misuse of* civil aircraft for military purposes.

Safety of Empire Essential It now appeared that there were nations which were not prepared to ' ' agree to abolition, said Lord Londonderry, and it was. impossible to deny that there were great practical difficulties in the way of such a far-reach-ing measure, but Britain could not accept a continuance of her present inferiority. If parity could not be secured by reductions elsewhere, then the Converse of the proposition must follow, and there would be no option but to begin to build upwards while continuing efforts to securq international agreement in fixing parity at the lowest level to which other nations would subscribe. x The Minister said they must hope it would be possible to fix a first-line strength for the principal air Powers which would neither be a threat to the peace of the world uor impose an intolerable financial burden on • Britain and the Empire as a whole, which must be made safe in the air. A race in. air armaments should be avoided at all costs. No Other Country So Exposed Viscount Cecil said the. real case for disarmament was based on the fact that one or two air attacks in the future would practically settle the whole course of a w«r.No other country was so exposed to air attack as Britain. She would be / crippled within 48 hours. The people demanded that everything should be done to abolish this dangerous air jveapon. > The debate was then adjourned. LARGER FORCE I PUBLIC EXPECTATION END TO HELPLESSNESS (Received November 30, 13.15 p.m.) ' LONDON. Nov. 30 Some writers deduce from Lord Londonderry's speech that Britain will increase her air fleet ultimately by 800 machines unless France reduces hers. I'he Minister gave France 1650 aeroplanes compared with Britain's 850 and indicated that Britain would build up to the strength of the highest Power, The Daily Telegraph says there is an end at last to the policy of one-sided aerial disarmament that has reduced Britain to a state of helplessness she has never known before. WORLD SITUATION V' SPEECH BY HERR HITLER it REICHSTAG DECEMBER 12 n . .7 . • • (Received November 30. 11.55 p.m.) BERLIN. Nov. 30 V'• 'lho Reichstag will reassemble on December 12 when the Chancellor, Herr Hitler, will deliver an important speech Pa the international situation*