SOME CRITICISM OF INCREASE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21416, 7 March 1935, Page 13

SOME CRITICISM OF INCREASE

Necessity Reluctantly ! Admitted ! ; | TREATY OBLIGATIONS OF | BRITAIN ! 'IIKITISn OFFICIAL V.'IHELESS.) i (Received March 6, 5.5 p.m.) i RUGBY, March 5. The necessity for the increases in 1 the defence estimates is reluctantly ■-drrilted by most papers this morn- : :ny, although Liberal and Labour 'jounuils are critical and consider the increased expenditure on defence premature and provocative. "The Times" says that British armaments by sea and land will 'not be on a larger scale. "'Great Britain has undoubtedly l'ailen too far behind in her air arm, ..is also in her anti-aircraft defences," -■■ ays "The Times." "It is unworthy of Great Britain's position in the ■.vorld that she should remain fifth or sixUi in the scale of air powers, and it renders her less fit to perform the treaty obligations she has aire: >ov assumed "Thei e must be a political foundation for tire limitation of armaments, and in snite of ah the efforts of the last three years this has not yet been lani. "The ii yotiations which Sir John Simon a.K. All R. A. Cclen will carry a r aye iurther at ttie end of the week a.ioi'J the be-1 prospect that lias yet appeared of the establishment of a system of security, and ;'u' logical sequence to a properly•uruuusid collective system will be : the diminution of national contingents. The British Government ; irtieularly emphasises the fact that' the measures now proposed are e'a- t:c. and raav be nodified downward if circumstances permit. , The British policy of peace will not be aiiected by the decision to spend , more on defence, and despite the troubled state of the world the British Government still proclaims its c■( .midence in tire ultimate in nr. i pi', of peaceful methods." The "Daily Telegraph" says: "The statement on Imperial defence unoJeriincs Die important fact that the value of the Locarno treaties has been seriously weakened by the knowledge that Great Britain's contribution could have little decisive "fleet. For the same reasons Great Britain's counsels in Europe were progressively less effec- ! tree. "The important increase in British influence noticeable at Geneva and : m all the leading capitals during irecent months can be traced to the ! looking to her fighting forces." The "News-Chronicle," in a leading article, says: "The White Paper has almost extinguished the hopes kindled by the Anglo-French conversations. "Herr Hitler's diplomatic illness ; reilects the disastrous recrudes- | cence of German suspicion and fear jof encirclement. Herr Hitler doubtless wants time to reconsider the position. '"The British Government in 24 hours has immeasurably worsened the international situation, but the force of pacific opinion may yet recall it to its senses." APPROVAL IN FRANCE UNITING PACIFIC PEOPLES OF EUROPE PARIS, March 5. The newspapers generally approve the British White Paper on Imncrial defence. "Le Petit Parisien" says: "Great Britain makes clear her ardent desire for peace, but does not go to th" point of closing her eyes to the tola! militarisation of the Reich." "Echo dp Paris" hopes that Great Pr tain's example will open M. Fland'm's eyes to the immediate necessity of extending the military service, but srp's it is insufficient to reply to German armaments with similar measure". It is necessary tn unite the pacific peoples of Europe. GERMANY PROTESTS "UNFRIENDLY" ACTION OF BRITAIN BERLIN, March 5. The newspapers publish only short summaries of the British \V;::' ij Paper on Imperial defence. Leading articles on the White Paper, which is resented throughout Germany, amount to a storm of protest ' against Great Britain's action, which is generally described as unfriendlv. "Dor Angrilf," official organ of the Nazi party, describes it as an attempt to intimidate Germany on the eve of the negotiations with Sir John Simon by attributing Great Britain's rearmament to Germany's spirit. It adds: "It is a piece of ! antiquated diplomacy which has ! failed to achieve its purpose." ~ | REGRET AT RESULT OF | NEGOTIATIONS i I.AMOUR'S CEN-URE -MOTION (Received March C, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. Sir Herbert Samuel (National Labour), during the defence debate on March 11, will move regretting that the Government's negotiations with other countries have iot resulted in greater assurance for the maintenance of peace, but in largely increased armament expenditure. Labour will have preference with the censure motion, the terms of which are at present undecided.