The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-13
DISARMAMENT
FADES AS ARMS
RACE is BEGUN
International Horizon Black
With Clouds of War
Possibilities.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
Seripps- Howard Foreign Editor

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13.-Both
here and abroad the conviction Is
growing that disarmament -
whether on land and sea or IN the
airs definitely of.
In consequence, a vast arna-
ments race is well nigh inevitable.
In fact it has already begun.
Not even the most convinced OPP
timist seriously expects the Geneva
arms conference soon can be re-
vived, or that it would accomp-
lish any worthwhile results if it
we're. Few believe the 1885 naval
conference, even # called, will get
anywhere.
Four Factors Responsible
For this grave outlook, four major
factors are held responsible.
l. Europe is a powder magazine
in which Adolf Hitler. unchecked
autocrat of Nazi Germany, is jug
Cling with flaming torches.
2. Japan, supreme in the far east,
may at any time embark upon an
other land-grabbing adventure or
move to check Soviet Russia.
3. British dominions and crown
colonies in the Orient are bringing
pressure to bear on the mother
country to provide more protection.
4. Neither Japan, Britain nor
France wants to renew the Wash
ington naval treaty of 1922 for
strong reasons of their own.
AS long as Hitler remains lord of
Germany, that country's neighbors
instead of disarming, will arm all
the more.
Nazis Feverishly Aiming
That Nazidom is now feverishly
arming for aero-chemical warfare
is no longer a secret. Because of
this, even the formerly pro-German
British are now practically doubling
their home defense air force.
Germany's Hitler, Goebbels and
Goering are talking peace. But no.
body believes a word they say. They
are believed to be playing for time.
If they are sincere now, it is pointed
out, then they have scrapped every
major plank in the Nazi platform.
The Soviet Union, afraid of Japan,
is rapidly increasing her ornaments
on land sea and in the air. There
is no possible chance Of arms re-
duction there.
Even if Germany were left out
Of the picture, therefore, Europe
would not disarm as long as Russia
retains, and adds to one of the big
geSt fighting machines on the globe
British Colonies Uneasy
Japan, on her side of the fence,
is working night and day to
strengthen her forces. For years she
has been accommodating war mate
rials-from cotton and chemicals to
mountains of scrap-iron. She con-
tinues to do so. Her industries are
in full blast around the clock.
Australia, New Zealand, Hong
kong, Singapore and British India
are all uneasy over japanese ambi-
tons. They want more empire pro-
lection and are making their wants
known to London.
In England the Tories are in the
saddle. Big navy influence is upper
most. A larger navy and larger
air force are demanded, both for
home defense and for defense of the
widely scattered empire.
France Seeks Security
Acting Premier Stanley Baldwin
bluntly asserts England's frontier
is no longer the chalk cliffs of
Dover, but the Rhine. This means
France, Belgium and Holland come
within Britains entranched camp
and more arms will be required to
defend it.
France, aware that Britain is
always for Britain first. knows she
can not count with absolute
certainty upon Britains armed
support. accordingly she insists UP N
her own land, sea and air defenses.
At no time in living memory has
the international horizon been
blacker with clouds of possible
trouble. Hardly single major
power feels secure. And most
countries thoroughly agree with
France that national security must
come before disarmament