WARS OF THE FUTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1931, Page 5

WARS OF THE FUTURE

• AN EXPERT’ FORECAST. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ROME, May 5. Tile next war will be one of lightning movement, declares the Italian War. Minister, Signor Caistrocchis, in his report on the Army Estimates. In his report, the Minister assert.; that Italy has taken the boldest of initiatives in her reduction of armaments to the lowest possible level. Til support of this contention, the Minister cites Italy’s recent renunciation of her naval parity with France in light craft. The Minister also makes a comparison of their present military expenditure, namely, that of Italy of twenty-eight millions sterling, while France is spending fifty-four millions.

“Surprise aerial nn,i chemical aggression will be tlie main feature of future wars,” sa,vs the report, which advocates the most intimate co-ordinft-tion between military prenarntion s on one hand and scientific industrial preparations on the other hand. The Minister remarks“ One of the conditions of the rapid solution of a new war is that of an aggressive surprise, to enable us to swoop unexpectedly upon the enemy. War in the air will, therefore, be of the greatest imnortance, because, by the use of direct lightning action in the air. it will influence the operations of all the other armed forces.’’