Evening star., 1935-05-03
Paris, Rome and London
Study Plan to Invite Hitler
to Limit Planes.
BRITAIN WILL ADD 200
SHIPS TO AIR FORCE
England Determined That Reich S
Strength Not Exceed Fleet
at Home Bases.
Copyright. 1885. by the Associated Press)

(Copyright. 1885. by the Associated Press)
LONDON, May 3.-An authorita-
tive source revealed today that a
draft Of a plan for a Western Euro
pean aviation pact has been drawn
up and has been taken under con-
sideration in Paris, Rome and London
simultaneously with the receipt of
information in high British quarters
that Germany has facilities for build
ing 100 airplanes a month as re-
placements.
The British air ministry, meeting
Reichsfuehrer Hitler's challenge in
the air, undertook new program for
substantial increases in British fight
ing planes, airdromes and Royal Air
Force personnel. This program will
be presented to Parliament within
two weeks.
The air pact, as now drafted, is
said to include an agreement to call
q halt in airplane construction. Well
informed sources stated that the draft
thus far has not been submitted to
Berlin but that Germany's signature
as well as Belgium's is contemplated. i.
200 More Planes Planned.
In order to fulfill Prime Minister
Ramsay MacDonald's pledge that
Great Britain will keep pace with
Germany in aviation. it was esti-
mated that at least 200 more British
fighting planes must be built at once.
The increases provided for less than
three months ago would bring the
home defense strength TO $50 planes
at the END of 1885.
The British government had ad-
mitted that it does not know the pre-
else strength Of Germany's air force
but Sir John Simon, foreign secretary
revealed that Hitler's recent claim to
equality in the air meant that Ger
many now has more than 800 wal
planes, equal to Great Britain's first
line home and overseas strength.
The 100-planes-a-mon capacity
was understood to be in addition tc
Germany's facilities for regular con.
struction In the event of hostilitles.
High sources said they we're told
Germany is expanding her aviation
construction program with the ex-
pectation of attaining soon monthly
replacement production of 200 ma
chimes.
Hitler's Strength Undetermined.
Despite the succession of reports
concerning the extent of the Reich's
air force plans, Sir John Simon, for
eign secretary, and other officials con-
cede that the government still is un-
certain whether it has full informa-
ton concerning Hitler's objectives.
Latest official comparisons give Ger
many 800 to $50 planes
The empire was given full aSsur-
ance that the government intends to
redeem fully the pledge of Stanley
Baldwin, lord president of the Coun-
Gil and Conservative leader. never to
permit the Reich to attain supremacy
in that department.
Debate in the House of Commons
yesterday made it plain the govern
ment will receive the full support of
opposition political parties.
The possible cost of matching Hit
ler's aerial strides has been set by one
informed source at approximately
S25 900 900 in excess of the S105 ,000.-
900 already estimated for the current
fiscal year.
The Daily Express. asserting Prime
Minister Ramsay Macdonald ''let
Nazis puild an air force. raise an
army and lay down the keels of a