THE NEXT WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 206, 3 September 1935, Page 7

THE NEXT WAR

FEWER CASUALTIES PROTECTIVE MEASURES THREAT TO CIVILIAN POPULATIONS [ Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND, Sept. 2. ‘‘The casualties in the next war will be relatively fewer than in the last because, not only will the defensive preparations be more thorugh and the armies more thoroughly mechanised, but air transport will be available for the wounded. The civilian population in the cities will not be in the gravest danger of being wiped out.” These opinions were expressed by Col C. I. Ellis, surgeon in chief to the St. John Ambulance Brigade, who is en route to Melbourne with the B.M.A. party. Colonel Ellis said that it was nut generally known that Britain had taken converse strides to ensure that, in rhe event of war, at least one room iu every house would be invulnerable against gas or germs. Britain was slow to awake to the danger, but in the past few months a country-wide campaign of instruction had been carried out, and it was being extended every day. If Britain were involved in the next war, people could be advised by radio of the extent and duration of a gas attack, and by using protective measures casualties were unlikely to be anything like so large as was popularly believed. “In the next war we will not rely on agreements or conventions, but will be ready for gas or germs before they can be brought into use,” said Colonel Ellis.

ANGLICAN VIEWPOINT MUST UPHOLD LEAGUE CHRISTIAN DUTY TO LAW LONDON, Sept. 1. The Archbishop of York, broadcasting, declared* “If the effectiveness of the League Covenant demands .the employment of armed forces, we should be prepared to use them. There is nothing un-Christian in that, it is the one way of carrying out the Christian duty of using the law within its sanctions in order io secure justice. League employment of force against an aggressive member is no more a war than a baton charge by the police against a destructive mob in a police riot. There must be no doubt about our purpose to operate the League machinery if our neighbours will join us. We have pledged our word and must not break

The Bishop of Liverpool recalls .that Abyssinia became a member of the League largely at Italy’s desire, and adds: “When the issue is transferred to Geneva a new temper may appear, pear, almost certainly entailing delav.”

The Bishop of Ripon emphasises that the present situation violently challenges the League and threatens civilisation.

The Bishop of Southwell appeals to public opinion to support Britain’s declaration of her readiness to take her full 'share of collective responsibility. The Bishop of Gloucester expresses the opinion .that if the Suez Canal is closed against the Italians it will mean an immediate war iu which the Italians may find allies as yet undisclosed or entail bitter resentment, eventually producing war. POPE MAY INTERVENE TT. DUCE’S JESUIT ADVISER VATICAN CITY, Sept. 1. It is believed that the Pope may intervene through Signor Mussolini’s Jesuit adviser, Pietre Tacehiventuri, whom he received in audience with Cardinal Pacelli.

RAW MATERIALS POOLING OF RESOURCES MR. LANSBURY’S PROPOSAL LONDON, Sept. 1. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. G. Lansbury), addressing a peace meeting in London, suggested an international round-table coul'erencc to discuss the pooling of toe resources of raw material. Britain should lead the way and offer to pool the resources within the nation with nations willing to pool resources outside. Ample key materials were available for everyone. If war were unavoidable Britain should act only collectively. Tfbe Trade Union Congress held n demonstration in favour of peace at the annual congress at Margate. Sir Oswald Mosley, addressing 3000 Fascists at Manchester, declared that no sane Englishman wanted war. Personally, he favoured granting Italy a mandate ever Abyssinia. ♦ _ : ITALY MAY PROTEST IF CONCESSION GRANTED SANCTIONS CASE WEAKENED ROME, Sept. I. It is understood that Signor Mussolini asked the Italian Minister at Addis Ababa to clarify the concession position. If the Emperor adheres to the concession it is expected that Italy will strongly protest to England and Abyssinia Official circles do U"t disguise their satisfaction that tho concession strengthens Italy’s tactical position, and consider it is proof that Britain is not thinking so much of League principles as her own interests, and that weakens the force of the appeal for sa notion#.