THREAT TO PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 11

THREAT TO PEACE

GERMAN EEAEMING MR. MacDONALD'S ATTACK CHEERED IN THE COMMONS ARTICLE STRONGLY APPROVED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Receivdd May 2. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 1 The Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonald, was cheered in the House of Commons to-day when, in answering a question, he said that his recent article in a weekly journal, blaming Germany for her new threat to peace, represented the policy of the Government. Mr. F. S. Cocks (Labour —Broxstowe, Nottingham) asked if the Prime Minister was aware that it was the only thing he had done since 1931 which had won a certain amount of Labour approval. Mr. Mac Donald: I am very glad to hear that. Mr. G„ Mander (Literal —Wolverhampton East), remarked that it was one of the best articles Mr. Mac Donald had written for a long time. Tliis evoked renewed cheers. " Germany has acted in such a way as to destroy the feeling of mutual confidence in Europe," wrote Mr. MacDonald in an article published in the National Labour Party's official organ the Newsletter, on April 26. " Germany has broken the road to peace and beset it with terrors," continued Mr. Mac Donald. " Germany claims a measure of armed power which puts most of the nations of Europe at its mercy. " Germany says: 4 You must trust me. I assure you I have no designs upon you.' It asks other nations to accept a verbal pledge of its pacific intention which it itself would not accept from its neighbours. Other nations will refuse to be pacified by such an assurance, for which refusal they can show ample justification. Germany has raised the suspicion of practically every nation in Europe, and I do not believe any German can honestly feel surprised that his Government was prejudicially dealt with when the Council of the League of Nations expressed its apprehensiveness and disapprobation." Mr. Mac Donald ended with this appeal: "Will the German Government prove its pacific intentions by declaring immediately that it is prepared to participate in carrying the Stresa resolutions into effect?" ROYAL AIR FORCE DECISION TO EXPAND DISCUSSION BY CABINET (Received May 2. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 1 The Daily Telegraph's Parliamentary I correspondent says the Cabinet for two hours discussed the European situation and the 'disturbing revelations of German rearmament. As a result Mr. Mac Donald will make an 'important declaration in tlie House of Commons tomorrow. It is understood that the Prime Minister will announce that the Government intends to meet the situation created by the formation of a German air fleet already bigger than that of Britain by a big expansion of the Royal Air Force. It will not be merely an acceleration of the five years' programme recently approved, but prompt action to see that Britain does not remain in an inferior position. The Daily Mail says the Cabinet decided to increase the strength of the Air Force without delay. Six squadrons of the Royal Air Force have been equipped with new machines in the last few weeks, and 10 others are tn the course of re-equipment. Some of these are stationed overseas. Particular interest lies in the addition to the coastal defences of new GlosterGauntlet fighting aeroplanes, which are claimed to be the fastest war craft in the world and the first with air-cooled engines to reach a speed of 230 miles an hour fully loaded. These machines can climb to 10,000 ft. in four minutes. The present re-equipment is normal and is not due to any expansion programme, but it is proceeding on a somewhat more extensive scale than has been the .practice in recent years. BRITAIN'S POLICY STATEMENT AWAITED PENDING COMMONS DEBATE British Wireless ROGBY. May 1 Trie important debate on foreign affairs to be lield in the House of Commons to-morrow will open with a statement from the Government, which it is expected the Prime Minister will make, upon recent events in Europe. The main factors upon which members and the public require information are the conference at Stresa, t.-hieli followed the visits to European capitals by British Ministers, the subsequent session of the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva, the increase in German air power, Germany's construction of submarines and the British Government's estimate of these events and attitude toward them. The issues may be broadly divided into two categories. Firstly, the methods to be pursued in order to ensure the maintenance of peace in Europe, and, secondly, the fulfilment of all the requisite measures to maintain Britain's homo defences at an adequate level. It has been frequently recalled during the last few weeks, and mainly in relation to the reported rapid increases in Germany's air strength, that Mr. Stanley Baldwin gave a pledge on behalf of the Government to maintain the British Air Force at a strength equal to that of any country within striking distance. Many members of Parliament are anxious to be reassured that this promise, in all circumstances. will lie fulfilled. On this point the Times remarks: " We should tell Germany plainly that she will not outbuild us in the air. This is nob a provocation, but a simple reminder of our accepted policy." At the same time the Times emphasises its view that " the prevention of violence must still have as its main object the attainment of that agreed peace freely negotiated on equal terms which Europe has never had yet since the war."