Evening star., 1936-03-05
British Armaments.

III evidence were needed TO lndlcate
the fevered anxiety in which peace
craving world is now living it would be
convincingly supplied by Great Brit
aims plans for one of the greatest de-
tense expansion programs in its history.
It contemplates expenditure of $780,
100000 during the next three years, but
the government emphasizes that even
these vast proposals are flexible" and
so dependent on international develop
ments that no fixed limit on their even
tual cost can be set. The plain impli-
cation is that the future is fraught with
so many possible perils that the govern
ment has decided to take even remote
contingencies into consideration and
mold empire defense policy on far
reaching lines.
While the cabinets momentous white
paper singles out no direction in which
danger is Immediately discerned, in
formed observers read between its lines
a warning to Germany, Japan and Italy
that Britain takes note of menacing
trends in those regions. The lions
loins are to be girded in every branch
of defense. Emphasis is laid on expan-
sion of the air force as the most urgent
and important requirement in the pres
ent situation" 1t is notivated primarily
by Germany's avowed bid for supremacy
hi prifoir7 ic
minded to ignore that challenge than she
was to permit the pre-1914 Reich to
dominate the seas. Mr.. Baldwins pro-
nouncement that "the Rhine has be-
come Britains frontier" remains the
keynote of British policy.
While arranging to make herself in
vulnerable by air, Britain is nd neglect
ing her historic first line of defense
the navy. She plans early construction
of two 35,0O0-ton battleships, an air.
craft carrier, five new cruisers and
steady replacement of over-age destroy
ers and submarines. Naval personnel is
to be increased by 5000. The army is
to be strengthened by four new infantry
battalions, modernization and mechani-
zation of coast guard and anti-aircraft
defenses and reconditioning of the old
"territorials," or national guard, to man
these defenses if the regular army is
abroad on expeditionary duty.
Not the least impressive of these secu-
rity arrangements is the project to or
ganize British industry SO that it can be
automatically converted from CONNER
cial to war production in case of neces-
sity. Existing government armament and
munition factories are to be extended
or duplicated.
The government does not conceal the
underlying purpose which inspires its de-
termination to take time by the forelock.
"It is essential" the white paper sets
forth, that the relation of our own
armed forces to those of other great pow
ers should be maintained at a figure high
enough to enable us to exercise influ-
ence and authority in international af-
fairs, required alike for defense of vital
British interests and for application Of
the policy of collective security"
That is notice unmistakable to war
lords in Asia and Europe that power
fully armed John Bull intends to be
sleeplessly on guard against recurrence
of such aggressions as the world is now
witnessing, from whatever quarter they
emanate. Britain's plans strike vigor-
GUS and timely blow for world peace.
They carry grim warning to would-be
marauders everywhere.