ARMY FOR FRANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 7

ARMY FOR FRANCE

BRITAIN’S OBLIGATION DISADVANTAGES EVIDENT MILITARY EXPERT’S VIEWS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Feb. 16 Ought Britain to get ready a large army, similar to that of 1914-18, in order to send it to France in case of war? This question is raised by Captain B. H. Liddell Hart, military correspondent of the Times, in reference to Mr Chamberlain’s pledge to France. The pledge is generally accepted as meaning that Britain, in the event of an attack on France, would immediately send an army to the Continent. Captain Liddell Hart, however, concludes that a sober survey of the balance of forces rules out the idea of waging an effective offensive campaign on the northern frontiers of France, and that it would be best to adopt the strategic defensive there. Concentration Unwise Remembering the contributions that Britain might be called on to make ii. the Western Mediterranean and elsewhere, it would be unwise, he argues, to allocate Britain's forces indefinitely to one quarter, because the problem of defending the West should be considered as a whole. Pointing out that in the last war, Germany collapsed more from an empty stomach than from loss of blood, Captain Liddell Hart says it is doubtful whether Britain would now be able to exert similar economic pressure, because of the measures Germany lias taken to become self-supporting. Weakness in Air Britain, he adds, could not afford the drain on the Air Force which wmuld be inevitable if a large land force were sent to France. Air-power is essential to protect Britain's industry and the people on whom her capability of sustaining a war depends. One inexcusable weakness in September was Britain’s anti-aircraft deflciences. Faced with an opponent less formidable than in iyi4, Germany, since Munich, is relieved of her nightmare of fighting a war on two fronts. Consequently, France is now In a heavily adverse position, because the v/hole weight of the German Army might be concentrated against her. Air and Sea Defences

Moreover, the Italian and Spanish frontiers of France are long, and her sea communications are liable to interruption. Germany, in spite of these factors, has insufficient superiority (in the writer's view; to obtain a decisive victory, so that Britain must concentrate on building up her air and sea defences. Otherwise, what aid could he given to France will not be worth much.

There is no need for conscription because voluntary enlistment will provide Britain with adequate and effective wartime equipment.