FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 25275, 3 May 1935, Page 7

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

DEBATE IN COMMONS GOVERNMENT STATEMENT EXPECTED THE MAIN FACTORS (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, May 1. The important debate on foreign affairs to be held 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 the members and the public require in- » formation are the conference at Stresa, which followed the visits to European capitals by British Ministers, the .subsequent League session at Geneva, the increase in German air power, Germany’s construction of submarines, and the British Government’s estimate of these events and its attitude towards them.

The issues may be broadly divided into two categories: (1) The methods to be pursued in order to ensure the maintenance of peace in Europe. (2) The fulfilment of all the requisite measures to maintain Britain’s home defences at an adequate level.

It has frequently been 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, and many members are anxious to be reassured that this promise will in all circumstances be fulfilled.

On this point The Times remarks: “We should tell Germany plainly that she will not out-build us in the air. This is not a provocation, but a simple reminder of our accepted policy. At the same time The Times emphasizes 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 yet had since the war.” f „ ROYAL "AIR FORCE BIG EXPANSION PROPOSED. PROMPT ACTION LIKELY. x (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) • London, May 1. The Daily Telegraph’s lobbyist says that Cabinet for two hours discussed the European situation and the disturbing revelations of German rearmament. As a result Mr MacDonald will make an important declaration in the House of Commons to-morrow. It is understood that he will announce that the Government intends to meet the situation created by the formation of a German air fleet, already bigger than Britain’s; by a big expansion of the Royal Air Force. It will not be merely an acceleration of the five-year programme recently approved, but prompt action will be taken to see we do not remain in an inferior position. \ Hie Daily Mail says Cabinet has decided to increase the strength of the Air Force without delay. COASTAL DEFENCES NEW AND FASTER MACHINES. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, May 1. Six squadrons of the Royal Air Force have been equipped with new machines in the last few weeks and 10 others are in the course of re-equip-ment. Some of these are stationed overseas. Particular interest lies in the provision for coastal defences of new Gloster Gauntlet fighting planes, claimed to be the fastest warcraft in the world and the first with an aircooled engine to reach 230 miles an hour fully loaded. They can climb 10,000 ft in four minutes. The present re-equipment is normal and not due to any expansion programme, but it is proceeding on a somewhat more extensive scale thejn has been the practice in recent years. FRENCH MINISTER VISIT TO LONDON. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, May 1. M. Pietri, the French Minister of Marine, who is on a short visit to London, met Sir John Simon at the House of Commons. M. Pietri has already had a conversation with Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell, First Lord of the Admiralty. GERMAN SUBMARINES CONSTRUCTION UNDER WAY. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) • London, May 1. Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell, First Lord of the Admiralty, was asked in Parliament if he could give any further information regarding the construction of submarines by the German Government. He said the British naval, attache at Berlin was informed on April 26 by the German authorities that an order to manufacture machinery, armaments, etc., for twelve 250-ton submarines was given at Christmas and the .order to construct the hulls and assemble the component parts was given about the middle of April. He was also informed that as a result of the extensive preparations which had been made the first submarine would probably be completed within six months. ' SPEECH BY GOERING GERMANY WANTS PEACE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, May 1. At the winding-up of the May Day celebrations before the torchlight procession General Goering said: “Never again shall we leave Germany’s defence position to politicians, other nations or cowardly compromises at Geneva. We sav leave others in peace and demand others to leave us in peace. Germany can sleep in peace because there are not cowards but men watching over her.”