WAY TO STOP AIR WARFARE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 9

WAY TO STOP AIR WARFARE

Britain Still Relying On Counter-Attack

PRINCIPLES OF SOUNI STRATEGY

LONDON, March 16.

“The way to stop air warfare is to destroy the enemy air fleet. The principles of strategy are immutable,” declared Lord Chatfield today in his first speech in the House of Lords as Minister of Defence. He was replying to Lord Trench-

ard’s request for assurances that Britain had not abandoned her traditional policy of counterattack. “The term defence does not mean that we have no intention of providing means of striking back if attacked,” proceeded Lord Chatfield. “The whole Empire would collapse if the heart of the'Empire ever stopped beating. “The productive activities of Britain and the inflow of raw materials must not be interrupted. Defences must be maintained at the highest efficiency. But this is only part of a sound air strategy. In addition, a counter-offensive force is essential.” It was the fixed intention of the Government, he said, to build up such a force as might, in conjunction with fighter aircraft and antiaircraft batteries, deter an aggressor from attacking or give all the necessary means for both attack and defence. POLAND RECOGNIZES SLOVAKIA

WARSAW, March 15.

Poland has recognized the Government of the Slovak Republic de jure. It is denied that Polish forces have invaded Slovakia.