NATIONAL DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22822, 5 March 1936, Page 9

NATIONAL DEFENCE

THE EXTENSION PROPOSALS OUTLINED IN WHITE PAPER HEAVY DEMANDS ON INDUSTRY (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, March 3. The Government’s White Paper on defence is published. Part I is mainly historical, and Part IT contains a brief outline of the objectives. The paper says: “ The overwhelming importance of the. navy in preserving sea communications and thus ensuring the country of supplies of seaborne food and raw materials, on which its existence depends, was fully set out in the White Paper of March. The London Ndval Treaty prohibits building new capital ships so long as it remains in force—till December 31, 1936-p-but the process of replacement cannot be delayed beyond that date. “ It is urgently necessary that the army formations already existing should be organised and equipped with the most modern arms and material; Plans have been worked out for this purpose. Modernisation of coast defence at defended ports at home and abroad will be proceeded with at an accelerated rate, a«d reorganisation of the anti-aircraft defences in South-east England will be extended, with a. view to covering the important industrial districts in Central and North Britain. “ Four new auxiliary Royal Air horcc squadrons will bo formed for co-opera-tion with the Territorial Army. With such wide Imperial responsibilities the ability to reinforce any threatened area in sufficient time and strength demands location of air units at convenient places ■ on strategic air routes. An increase of approximately VI squadrons for this purpose is proposed. , “ In connection with air raid precautions the department of the Home Office has been actively engaged with local authorities, and satisfactory progress has been made.” The White Paper points out that the problem differs materially from the one confronting the country In the Great War, “ We have to carry through in a limited . .period measures which will make exceptionally heavy demands upon certain branches of industry and certain classes of skilled labour, without impeding the course of normal trade. This will require - most careful organisation cad the .willing co-operation both of leaders of industry and of trade unions in order satisfactorily to provide for needs both in peace and war. The Government has decided to create a reserve source of supply which will be available in the case of emergency. The method of procedure contemplated is to select a number of firms who do not normally make warlike stores, but who are suit- . able for the purpose by reason of their experience and possession of skilled staffs .of engineers and workmen. Arrangements would be made with these firms for laying down the necessary plant and machinery for a given output of selected articles, and sufficient orders In pence time would be guaranteed to allow the requisite training in the work ot production. The Government is determined that the needs of the nation shall , not serve 1 to pile up extravagant profits, for those : who are called upon to meet them. It ,is confident that industry as a whole has no desire to exploit the situation, and it has already received satisfactory 'assurances from the Federation of British Industries of its readiness to collaborate so that control to prevent excessive profits would be effectively exercise'd.” • The White, Paper recalls the fundamental difference that grew up last suminer between the League , of Nations and Italy, .combined with the possibility_ of League action, which led to a campaign of violent x and menacing propaganda in Italy, largely directed against the : United Kingdom as one of the foremost upholders of the Covenant. The point was reached in August last when the possibility of an incident occurring which might precipitate extension of the con- - diet could no longer be disregarded. Although the Government was able to make the dispositions .which the situation required, it was mnly possible to safeguard the position ; in the Mediter- • rancan and the Red" Sea by denuding other areas to an extent which might have involved grave risks'; The paper says; “It is true that the increase in the armed strength of . other nations who will co-operate for collective security may increase the power of the League, but the increase in armed strength may also prove an added power in the hands of a possible aggressor. It is essential that the relations of our own armed forces to those of other great Powers should be maintained at a figure high enough to enable us to exercise ' the influence and authority required for the defence of vital British interests and the application of collective security.” The paper gives details of the recent : great growth in armaments in various countries, and adds: “Conditions in the international field have deteriorated". We have really no alternative in the present state of the world but to review our defences and provide the necessary means of both safeguarding ourselves against aggression and playing our part in the enforcement by common action of inter-, national obligations. The Government will continue to do its utmost to improve international relations and promote agreement for tiie limitation of armaments. The proposals for defence outlined in the White Paper do not betoken any abandonment of international policy hitherto pursued.” ■ The White Paper examines the armament situation in various countries, and states: “The fact of German rearmament is not concealed, but regarding the details there is a great deal of secrecy. ' In March, conscription on a basis of one year’s service was re-established, and the German Government announced, a peacetime army establishment of 36 divisions with a strength of 550,000 men. There lias been continuous development of the German Air Force. The expansion of the "German Navy is limited to a definite proportion of' Britain’s naval forces, but Within this limitation a new German ' navy is an addition to world armaments which cannot be left out of account. In France, two-year service was introduced in the spring of last year. Its Air Force is'being organised and reequipped. The barrier fortresses on . the north-eastern frontier are being extended. In Belgium the army expenditure shows a heavy increase. The Italian army lias been on a war footing for six months, and in October it, was stated that 1,200.000 men ware under arms, while further recruits have since been called up.’’ ■The Soviet forces, according to the latest figures, now total 1,300,000 men. and a further increase in the Soviet Air Force is in progress. In Japan re-equip-ment of the army is proceeding on a comprehensive programme. In 1935-36 the army and navy accounted for 46 per cent, of the total budgetary expenditure, while the deficit on the Budget was £45,000,000. In the United States the total annual expenditure on defence, has risen, since last year from £108.000,000 to £180,000,000, exclusive of the pro-

vision for such non-effective charges as pensions, which in the case of the British estimates for 1935 represented no less than £18,000,000 out of a total of £134,000,000. “ British policy,” says the White Paper, “ has been steadily directed to discouraging competition in armaments. The recent naval agreement with Germany, and the present effort to conclude a new naval agreement with the Washington Powers are instances, and it is true that a general raising of levels all round is no guarantee of peace, but in determining our own defence programme it is impossible to disregard the extent of the preparations which have been made by others.” NAVAL REPLACEMENT LONDON, March 3. It is intended to begin naval replacement early in 1937, when two new capital ships will be laid down and the modernisation of the existing battleships continued. The Government aims at. bringing the number of cruisers to 70. Five cruisers were included in the 1936 programme. The present rate of con- ' struction of sloops and small craft will be continued, and a steady replacement programme for destroyers and submarines is contemplated. A new aircraft carrier will be laid down at an early date, and there will be considerable expansion of the fleet air arm. The personnel of the navy will be increased by 60,000 within the year. Tire Government proposes to raise four new battalions of infantry, which to some extent will mitigate the present difficulties of policing which Imperial responsibilities place upon Britain. The field artillery will be thoroughly modernised and the territorial army will be required to support the regular army abroad. The Government, intends to do its utmost to encourage recruiting, to increase the efficiency of the territorials, and to improve the present inadequate equipment for training. AIR FORCE REORGANISATION LONDON, March 3. The Government is reorganising the Air Force with a view to protecting important industrial districts in the centre and north of the country and providing an effective deterrent to an attack on vital interests of the Empire. There will bo additions to the number of aircraft, bringing the first line strength of the Air Force to 1750, exclusive of the fleet air arm, but including the four new auxiliary squadrons being formed for co-operation with the territorials. The Government proposes a special increase of 12 squadrons for the, purpose of Imperial defence. They will be located at convenient points on strategic air routes. : 1 ■ - THE DOMINIONS’ INTERESTS , LONDON, March 3. (Received March 4, at 5.5 p.m.) The Sun-Herald agency says: “ The dominating influences behind the White Paper are Germany in the air and Japan on the sea. A substantial proportion of the programme is specifically connected with safeguarding New Zealand, Australian, Indian and Malayan interests owing to the undefended condition of the Far East. The British plans in no way involve the Dominions in financial co-operation. The increased cruiser strength is designed to enable better trade route protection in the Pacific, while the most immediate results in the Far East will be increasing the garrisons at Hongkong and Singapore, modernising the anti-aircraft coastal defences, and the early expansion of the air squadrons at Singapore with new and most modern machines. The White Paper is largely a sequel to Mr Baldwin’s statement last year, ‘ Britain’s frontier is on the Rhine.’ Those in closest touch with developments openly avowed this afternoon that the White Paper was primarily directed against Germany and not a moment can be lost in emphasising that enormous demands will be made on industry. A definite shortage of highly specialised labour is one difficulty because firms are already competing for such workmen. The Government is anxious not to disturb normal industry, and will distribute the work as far as practicable among, innumerable factories. The key word of the document is ‘deterrent.’” AMERICA NOT SURPRISED WASHINGTON. March 3. (Received Marc!) 4, at 7 p.m.) Publication of the White Paper caused little surprise and no concern in offirial circles to-day, which have long discounted the " reported impending large scale armament programme. The decision to lay down two 35,000-fon battleships is expected to lead to similar action by the United States. Plans for such vessels . have been completed by the Navy Department, but the request for funds has been deferred until the adjournment of the conference in London. The cruiser programme as announced caused no con cent as Britain, according to figures available here, is still 28,000 tons under the limit in this category allowed by the London Treaty. / Although no officiols made formal coin ment there is considerable appreciation here of Britain’s defence position in view of her Empire responsibilites and the unsettled world conditions. PREVENTION OF AGGRESSION LONDON, March 3. (Received March 4, at 9 p.m.) The Times says: “The lessons of recent experience arc clear. Armaments cannot make peace, neither can lack of them. Britain is determined to act with other nations for the prevention or restraint of aggression. Secondly, she has been stirred to prove .hat the collective system possesses the means of making as well as keeping p<ace. Behind that dual policy the whole conviction of the Empire is ranked.” The News-Chronicle says: “The whole document presupposes that the world is foredoomed to war. It is a programme by statesmen who have thrown up the sponge.” The Daily Telegraph congratulates the Government on its courage and says: “There has never b lore been a British programme like this, embracing not only the army, the navy and the Air Force, •but the thinking machine and the complc problem of munitions.” REACTION ON EXCHANGE LONDON. March 3. (Received March 4, at 9 p.m.) The Stock Exchange took the White Paper calmly. Prices of armament shares were raised in the morning, but an easier tone developed and the market d ised dull. CRITICISM OF PROGRAMME LONDON. March 3(Received March 4, at 8 p.rn.) Criticism of the rearmament programme centres on the paucity of the details and the absence of indication of the total cost. It is understood that the Estimates for the fighting services show an expenditure for the financial year ending March, 1937, of over £155,000,000, which is £31,000,000 in excess of the original Estimates for the year. Future Estimates will* be considerably larger. The programme formed the sole topic in the lobbies of the House of Commons. Mr Oliver Stanley addressed the Conservative Navy Committee and was subjected to keen questioning. The general impression is satisfaction

at the increase of cruisers to 70, but regrets are expressed that there are not more details.

The trade union and political side of the Labour movement conferred for two h r urs without reaching a decision. Further conferences arc being held-to-day. Expressing the opinion that the plans arc satisfactory, Sir Roger Keyes said it was only fair to point out that a large part of the programme cannot proceed until the expiry of the Loi don and Waal ington Treaties on January 1, 1937.

The Daily Mail declares that the programme is a great disappointment and quite inadequate. It does not promise security and docs not make good the neglect of the past. The aircraft figures should be contrasted with Italy’s present 5500 front-line machines. The lessons of the Abyssinian campaign have not been learnt. The Daily Herald says: “The White Paper is a muddle and a dangerous confusion of thought. There has been no serious attempt to determine what British interests are likely to be threatened or to assess the extent to which collective security could be relied upon to p Meet those interests.” FRANCE GRATIFIED LONDON, March 3. (Received March 4, at 8 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent says: “ The British rearmament proposals were unquestionably received with the utmost gratification and relief. It is felt that Britain has at last been compelled to face facts, which will benefit European peace?.” The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says: “The first reaction in influential quarters is pity that rearmament is not faster and more extensive.” ITALIAN COMMENT LONDON, March 3. (Received March 4, at 8 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Rome correspondent says: “ The Government does not accept the statement that the increase in the Italian forces forms a valid reason for British rearmament. It is emphasised that Italy rearmed to protect her East African colonists, while Signor Mussolini solemnly assured Britain that ho would respect her interests everywhere.” GERMAN COMMENT BERLIN, March 3. (Received March 4, at 8 p.m.) The Tngeblatt declares; “The White Paper is a crashing verdict against the peace treaties which followed the Great War and shows that Britain does not consider the League sufficiently strong to protect the Empire- It is a singular contradiction that Britain, with 2,000,000 unemployed, should lack recruits.”