WORSE THAN EVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19784, 7 March 1927, Page 7

WORSE THAN EVER

RACE FOR ARMAMENTS FRANCE’S EXPENDITURE GERMAN MILITARISM OUT-DONE FASCIST PAPERS’ CRITICISM [Hr Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Coiy right.! Received March 6 8.20 p.m. LONDON, March 5. The French army debate has eligited strong criticism in Rome, where the official Fascist organ alludes to “the tragic-comedy enacted in old democratic Europe, which, after asphyxiating every corner of the horizon with the Pacifist fumes of Locarno, has now started on a mad race for armaments worse than before.” The newspaper “Popolo Italia” declares that the French expenditures on armaments have no parallel in German militarism, even before tho war. IF WAR COMES FRENCH PREPARATIONS PROPOSED UNIVERSAL SERVICE PARIS, March 4. The Chamber resumed the debate on the Military Reorganisation Bill Discussion centred on the first article, establishing the principle that every citizen, irrespective of age and sex, must servo in wartime. Objection was raised that this would suppress the principle of non-combatants ’ rights to protection under the Hague Convention. Therefore, in future wars, passenger ships could be sunk and the women deported for war work without protest. Following a long discussion the article was amended to declare that every citizen must serve cither as a combatant or non-combatant. The debate showed that the Government recognises that in future wars no State will be able to pledge the safety of civilians, and that the enemy will not distinguish between uniform and mufti, men or women.