Evening star., 1923-03-25
Statesmen Fear Menace in
Superior Flying Equipment
j Across the Channel.
ARMAMENT RACE LOOMS
Late Allies on Brink of Prepara'
tions for War With Each
Other.
BY A. G.. GARDINER,
Britain's Foremost Liberal Editor


By Cable to The Star.
LONDON, March 24.-It must be ad-
mitted that Frances overshadoWlnS
supremacy in the air is creating very
serious concern throughout England
It constitutes menace, and IS Great
ing strained situation toward
France.
Already the debate on this subject
in the house of lords has verged on
the bitter. While officialdom has done
everything possible to soften the dis
cussion there is no Disgusting the fact
that the country as a whole is "jumpy
over the situation.
Take Lord Birkenhead's remarks s
and the statements of the usually
conservative Earl Grey. They insisted
that France is in position to destroy
London at the first sign of hostllities
between the nations. She can strike
not only there. but against every cen
ter of population in the British Isles
without warning.
Big French Air Force.
The French suggestions that the air
preparations are planned to control
Ciermany are subjects of laughter.
They take on the atmosphere OF
moonshine when the bitter assaults
against England in the French press
are considered.
But British leaders very frankly ask
how it is that France can afford to
make such enormous expenditures TO
keep her air forces superior to the
combined air strength OF the Worlu
while at the same time she refuses to
pay penny either on the capital or
the interest of her war debt.
The British public is commencing to
realize that Great Britain helped to
destroy GeTmany'S colossal military
machine in order to make France the
military dictator of all Europe. our
very existence is menaced. We nave
ten air squadrons against 14O for
France. and there now is great out
cry that the government shall imme-
diately set out on great building
program.
Thus four years after the great war
the two chief allies are on the brink
of vast competitive preparations Tor a
competitive armament program to get
ready for the next war. Every paper
in England today is discussing this
fact 1t is of course, pointed out on
behalf of France that her military
preparations are only intended to re-
inforce her diplomatic aims, but this
in no way mitigates the situation.
After all, a burglar only arms him
self with a revolver to facilitate his
diplomatic intentions.
This outstanding development has
Lloyd George and Asquith for control
of the liberal party. The situation Is
somewhat parallel to the control Of
the republican party in 1912. George,
after a period of complete dictator
ship, now finds himself in a position
of singular isolation.
Would Reunite Liberals.
His scheme for a center party of
personal adherents was destroyed
when the conservatives secured a
clear majority in parliament. Now,
realizing that support from that party
has vanished irrevocably. he knows
his only chance to remain in public
life lies with the liberal machine. As
quith does not want him. Neither
do many of the rank and file. But
pleading that the interests of the
country and the dangers of socialism
must be met he is striving to secure
admission to the liberal councils and
endeavoring to force Asquith either
into acceptance of him as colleague
OF into a position where the liberal
revival will be prevented.
Asquith is indisposed to kill the
fatted calf, as he has had experience
with this prodigal son before. and he
sees no reason to rejoice that he is
returning from a far country He
agrees to the desirability of reuniting
the liberal factions. and suggests an
individual reunion for the rank and
file.
George now has made a demand for
a personal conference with Asquith
The opinion. however, is growing that
the former premier will be unable to
capture the liberal machine. If So
then he is likely to remain a disturb
ing figure in politics with his hand
against all parties.
Copyright, 1929