DANISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1929, Page 8

DANISH POLITICS

A LEAD FOR THE NATIONS. (Auckland Star.) Three months ago a general election was held in Denmark, and 52 per cent of the voters gave their support to the Radical and Social-Democrat candidates., One of the main issues at the election was the jfroposed reduction of tlie defence forces, and the new Government, supported by a definite majority of the electors, is now prepared to carry- its programme into effect. It may be assumed that the Bill, when submitted to the Lower House, will pass without difficulty, as a- similar proposal was carried there in 1926. And though the Upper House includes ■lO Conservatives and only 36 SocialistRadicals, it is generally anticipated that the pressure of public opinion will force the hill through the revising Chamber as well.

The measure which the new Government has prepared for the consideration of Parliament is very comprehensive and thorough-going. AH land and sea forces are to be disbanded, and the Ministries of War and the Navy are to be abolished. A small force will -he enlisted for coastal patrol duty, but it will be placed, under the direct orders of the Prime Minister. The surviving rqilitary force of 2000 men will he commanded not by a General, hut by a “Director;’; and his subordinates will •lot he military officers, but merely civilian officials. Tlie navy will consist off a small coastguard squadron, which, including all types of craft, will nob •'xceed 13,500 tons— about the displacement of one fairly Targe cruiser. These details show that “ disarmament ” in die case of Denmark is to be no empty formality, hut the absolute sacrifice •md surrender of all the present naval and military means of national defence.

The reasons for this extraordinary step have been set forth in clear and impressive language by the Premier, Stauning, the leader of the Socialist group. He argues that Denmark is “incapable of self-defence,” and that this fact should be frankly recognised The position and configuration of the country are such that it could not hope to keep off a hostile army or navy in any strength, and it should therefore be satisfied ; with “a border and coast patrol which will have no military functions to perform.” But quite apart from the position of Denmark and the responsibilities of its rulers, Stauning holds that the step which his Government proposes to take may prove a good example for other nations to' follow in regard to the abolition of all armament, which in his opinion have become “the most serious burden of all peoples, and an obstacle to cultural advance.”

There can be no doubt that the Danish Government is actuated by honest and admirable intentions in taking this bold' stpp. But opinions may differ as whether, it is likely to influence other States in the same directtion or provide a precedent for general disarmament on an international scale. The helplessness of a small country which has voluntarily abandoned all hope of protecting itself by force should be a sufficient.defence and an attack upon Denmark or an infringement of its political rights would in all probability stir the outraged conscience of the civilised world and comnel intervention on its behalf. But it by no means follows that ,a country which in a material or territorial sense lias, much more to lose than Denmark would be equally' safe in abandoning military and naval defence altogether and relying on the world’s goodwill and desire for peace to save it from disaster in the future. Armies and navies are in the last resort the only nolice force that the nations possess, and the spirit of humanity must change very' materially for the better before it will be safe to dispense with them entirely either at homo or abroad.