WAR STRENGTH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 118, 22 May 1939, Page 8

WAR STRENGTH

MODERN DEMOCRACIES. LONDON, April 28. “The modern democracies have two invaluable weapons —their sea power and their immense financial reserves. “They can hardly be defeated if they survive the would-be knock-out blows delivered at the beginning of a war.’’ This is the main conclusion of an article in the Manchester Guardian by Mr. Bernard Keeling, who discusses financial and industrial capacity in relation to war. “It is said," writes Mr. Keeling, “that the life of the average aeroplane pilot is about two months, and that an entire air force will need replacement six times a year. “What is true of aeroplanes is even more true of munitions. No country can be classified as a Great Power unless it possesses a fully-developed industrial system. “It is doubtful whether Italy can be included in the ranks along with Russia, the United States, Britain, Germany, France and Japan. “Germany’s present industrial capacity is apparently at least equal to that of Britain and France combined. "Regarding foodstuffs, the United Kingdom imports two-thirds of her requirements and Germany one-fifth, but the latter requires to import 50 per cent, of her fats from foreign sources. The situation of Denmark, Holland and Lithuania is thus immensely significant. “Italy and Japan are more selfsufficient than Germany. “Russia and the United States alone are self-sufficient in all of the following essentials: Coal, iron ore, oil, cotton, wool, copper and manganese.’’