The Daily News SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1934. MR. BALDWIN’S WARNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1934, Page 6

The Daily News

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1934. MR. BALDWIN’S WARNING.

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The gravity of the statement made by the leader of the Conservatives in Great Britain, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, to the House of /Commons, is beyond question. If proof of this were required, and of the desire to make the warning the speech contained unmistakable but non-provoca-tive, it can be found in the statement made subsequently by the Foreign Minister, Sir John Simon. Sir John told the that full information in regard to Mr. Baldwin’s remarks had been given to Germany, France, Italy and the United States before they were made public. Once more Britain has given a lead towards an ideal for which it was hoped the nations who suffered in the last war would strive. It was asserted in the early post-war days that the old era of secret negotiations. between nations must end, and that policies of the larger Powers should be discussed openly and freely between them all before such negotiations were conclud? ed. The “new diplomacy” envisaged was the first definite recognition of the principle that whatever affects one nation for good or evil affects all. Had recognition of that principle in economic affairs been wider the condition of international trading to-day might have been much less difficult than it is. The fact that the Powers concerned, and particularly the Government of Germany—to which Mr. Baldwin’s principal warning was addressed—were told his

intentions adds immensely to the weight of the British Minister’s caution. Germany, he said, was breaking treaty promises and was secretly rearming. In Mr. Baldwin’s opinion the secrecy of Germany’s action was almost as reprehensible as the breach of the treaty itself. The inference is, of course, that except when held to a bond by force the German nation cannot be trusted, and there was much force in Mr. Baldwin’s question whether to obtain such a reputation, with the distrust it must inevitably engender, was worth its cost, even to a nation like Germany that considers others have broken treaty promises to her also. It is not so long ago since disarmament was the world topic. To-day it is rearmament, and the alteration is due largely to the two nations who have left the League of Nations because they refused to accept its rulings. Those two nations are Germany and Japan. Both of them have adopted a policy of secrecy in regard to their armaments. Japan is at present negotiating with Britain and other Powers in regard to a naval treaty, and Germany is vociferously asserting her peaceful intentions while secretly building a war machine. There could be only one reply to these gestures from Great Britain, and Mr. Baldwin made it in terms of dignity and firmness. Britain had, he said, shown her belief in the limitation of armaments in the only practical way. She had deliberately reduced her own. The example was not followed, and Britain now found preparations being made that might be used to attack her where she is most vulnerable, namely, by sea and in the air. Therefore, said Mr. Baldwin, if other nations insist upon rearmament rather than disarmament, the British Empire must and will shape its policy accordingly. The Empire has the resources and will not hesitate to use them if needs be, and the Minister knew that in making that statement he had behind him the support of the whole Empire. Mr. Baldwin did not slam the door upon further disarmament negotiations. On the contrary he expressed the belief that it was still possible for them to be productive of good. Economic conditions demand the conservation of national resources to overcome the difficulties existing, and it seems the height of folly to expend those resources on armaments that at best are non-productive and wasteful and at worst may mean the end of civilisation as known to-day. The choice lies with the nations. If they choose disarmament Britain will lead the way. If rearmament is determined upon the decision will be accepted by the British Empire, however regretfully, and its security provided for, no matter what the cost may be. There was no threat in Mr. Baldwin’s speech. There was, however, a distinct warning that sacrifices might be demanded of Britons to keep their security intact, and to other nations that however great those sacrifices security would be maintained against the armaments of any potential attacker.