FRENCH FEAR

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1933, Page 6

FRENCH FEAR

FUTURE NATIONAL DEFENCE

BIRTH DECLINE DURING WAR

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.)

PARIS, December 19.

Fiery Exchanges between M. Daladier and M. Tardieu marked the passage of a Bill altering the date for the calling up of recruits in order to provide for the lean years from 1936 to 1940, corresponding to the decreased war time birthrate. M. Fabry pointed out that unless something were done, the number of recruits would be only 116,000 instead of at present a quarter of a million. The Bill, he said, would obtain two hundred thousand recruits, while fifteen ' thousand specialists would be enlisted, and Moroccan units would bo recalled. M- Tardieu charged M. Fabry wjth reducing the army. Early in 1934 would be ‘ a critical period for France and for'Europe. France must not only be strong, but must be known to be strong. Her known weakness in 1914 had contributed to the late war. M. Daladier retorted that France, with 468,000 s oldier s on the active list and half a million trained reservists, had excellent modern war material, •and an unexampled fortress system. She could assure her own security. Her frontier fortifications would eventually be extended to coast. He asked what was this manoeuvre to spread unjustifiable panic. M. Tardieu. amid hoots and cheers, furiously .sprang- to his fpet and protested 1 -- at this remark, a tumult continuing for several minutes.