PRESERVING PEACE IN EUROPE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20098, 3 May 1935, Page 9

PRESERVING PEACE IN EUROPE

BRITAIN’S INFLUENTIAL LEADERSHIP OFFICIAL STATEMENT PROMISED 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, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, will make upon the recent events in Europe. The main factors upon which members and the public will require information are the conference of British, French and Italian Government Ministers recently held at Stresa, which followed the visits to European capitals by the British Ministers, Sir John Simon, Foreign Secretary, and Mr Anthony Eden, Lord Privy Seal, the subsequent session of the League of Nations Council 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 broadly be 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 requisite measures to maintain Britain’s home defences at an adequate level. It frequently has been recalled during the last few weeks, and mainly in relation to the reported increases in Germany’s air strength, that Mr Stanley Baldwin, Lord President of the Council, 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, in all the circumstances, will be fulfilled. On this point, “The Times” remarks: “We should tell Germany plainly that she wall not outbuild us in the air. This is not provocation, but a simple reminder of our accepted .policy,” Press Forecasts The Lobbyist of “The Daily Telegraph,” says: “The Imperial Cabinet meeting for two hours, discussed the European situation, and the disturbing revelations of German rearmament. As a result, the Prime Minister, Mr Macdonald, will make an important declaration in the House of Commons to-morrow. It is understood lie will announce that the Government intends to meet the situation created by the formation of a German air fleet, which is bigger than ours, 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 that we do not remain in an inferior position.

The “Daily Mail” says: “Cabinet decided to increase the strength of the Royal Air Force without delay."