WARNED TO ACT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 4 May 1934, Page 1

WARNED TO ACT.

Must Increase Her Defence Forces. LONDON, April 26. Urging the Government to face the disarmament crisis, the “Daily Mail,” in a leading article, declares that Britain is now confronted with a graver situation than in 1909, when the supremacy of the Navy was threatened and England’s existence was at stake, and a wrong decision would have brought the downfall of the Empire in 1914. To-day the British Air Force, despite its magnificent personnel, is utterly inadequate, yet the air danger is far worse than the sea danger as the enemy could strike with appalling speed within a few minutes of a declaration of war.

The only sure protection, if Britain is unable to parry the blow, is the ability to strike back with tremendous violence. If Britain is content merely to talk about increasing her Air Force, while Continental Powers are acting, Britain and the Empire are bound to go to the wall. France Blamed. On the other hand, the “ NewsCh nicle” (Liberal), in a leading article says that this is no occasion for panicky decisions. It deprecates war-mongering demands that Britain should precipitately double her armaments. Nevertheless, the situation is ominous, and France and Germany are both responsible. France has finally barred the door to limitation of arms, consequently Britain should inform France that the majority of Britons refuse to permit France to use the League to perpetuate the Treaty of Versailles and impose inferiority on Germany. Nevertheless, it is hoped that France has not said the last word otherwise Britain must reconsider her commitments, including the Locarno Treaty.