DISAPPROVAL OF LABOUR

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21415, 6 March 1935, Page 11

DISAPPROVAL OF LABOUR

THE CABINET SEVERELY CRITICISED DWINDLING FAITH IN LEAGUE I I (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION —BY ELECTBIO i TEI.EGRArU—COPYRIGHT.) ! (Received March 5, 9.30 p.m.) ; LONDON. March 4. i Labour members of the House of i Commons whole-heartedly oppose jthe increase in the Defence estimates. Labour is certain to table a vote of censure. The "Daily Herald" says the armaments race is on. Mr Mac Donald and his colleagues justify it with precisely the sort of arguments that Herr Hitler and General Goermg use iin Germany. Mr Mac Donald dismisses the international machinery for maintaining peace as unreliable. Thus Mr Mac Donald attempts to frighten the people into condoning the policy which led to the world war. The "News Chronicle," in a leader. says that few will suspect the Government of planning to make war. The real charge against Mr Mac Donald and his colleagues is that they are mostly elderly and cynical. They have never been inspired by a passionate faith in the League of Nations, and have never really crusaded for disarmament. Now they have wearily let the generals and admirals persuade them to abandon the attempts. Publication of the increased armament estimates is almost tantamount to sabotaging Sir John Simon's mission to Berlin and Moscow. "The most tragic document since the war," was Lord Snowden's comment after hearing the broadcast of Mr Mac Donald's Defence statement Lord Snowden said, "The excuse that Germany is responsible for our increased armaments is terrible, coming on ;'ie eve of Sir John Simon's visit to Berlin. The whole document might have been drawn ' up by the French foreign office. Bri- ! tain's subservience to France has | led us into one war, and seems likely I to lead us into another." I I WORLD SITUATION GERMANY SAID TO DE A MENACE ACTIVITIES OF JAI'AN AND j ITALY

LONDON, March 4. The White Paper, which, signifi--1 cantly, is signed by Mr Ramsay IvlacDonald (Prime Minister), as chairman of the Committee of imperial Defence, was telegraphed at ! length to the Dominions Govern- ; ments at the week-end. It set the i lobbies buzzing this afternoon, members of the House carrying ' copies which they eagerly discussed The Liberals and Socialists are : certain to oppose it, though the seriousness of the situation deeply impressed them. A former Labour Minister remarked: "It is clearly for Responsible Government quarters do not attempt to disguise the gravity of the world situation, saying openly that Germany is a potential menace. She is rearming left and right and preaching an un-Christian spirit throughout the country among the young, stimulating the most intense nationalism, Herr Hitler's protestations ot peace are one thing; fulfilling them is another. It is further stated that Japan is less of a menace than Germany, but even the Japanese activities "cannot altogether be regarded as 'riendly." Italy, too, is threatening trouble m Abyssinia. These facts, it is stated, caused the Cabinet to put the position realistically before the country, enabling it to face the dangers and responsibilities. The defence policy is not from a warmongering administration, but one comprising notable pacifist elements who have unanimously presented the White Paper, which virtually despairs of anything emerging from the recent attempts at collective security. Instead it 'conarms that the whole world is participating in a hasty rearmament race. The Government is attempting to replace the Washington Treaty with a building programme, the limitations including restricting the size of capital ships, until 1942. It is frankly admitted that the abolition of them could not be achieved.

NECESSITY PROVED j NO FOUNDATION FOR LIMITATION (Received March 5, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. "The Times," in a leader, says the necessity for the defence increases is proved. The foundation for limiting armaments, despite three years' efforts, has not yet been laid. Sir John Simon's and Mr R. A. Eden's negotiations afford the best prospects of establishing a system that will result in a diminution of national contingents. The negotiations should be conducted in order to obtain a settlement acceptable to all. Britain still proclaims confidence in the ultimate triumph of peaceful efforts.—"The Times" Cable.