The Washington times., 1937-02-27
100000 NJ N
IN CONTINENTS
PEACEF0RCES
BY ERIC BOY
(Copyright. 1887. by Interna tional
News SerVice)

News Service)
BERLIN, Feb. 27.-Europe is
spending $4,000 million dollars
annually on armaments, conserva-
tive estimates based on official
figures given by % nations showed
today.
Transformed by giant rearma-
ment programs into a dangerous
powder keg, Europe has 5,700,000
men on military duty as peace
time forces" About $4,000, 900
men could be modified and put
into action within a few days
should hoStilities begin.
With all % nations, topped by
Britain's 1900 million dollar re-
armament program, spending fan
tastic sums on war preparations,
1000 heavy caliber guns, tens OF
thousands of field guns and 200,-
900 machine guns are ready for
action. according to official figures
from various general staffs.
$4,000 Planes Ready
SquadronS Of tanks of all sizes
their numbers carefully kept secret
by each country-are ready for a
possible fray, and $4,000 military
airplanes are waiting to take to
the air.
Once a war got underway, 1t
was pointed, these staggering
figures would be multiplied as
high-powered industries, thrown
on war footing, began pouring
their production into the battle
fields.
Five years ago. with the lesson
of the World War fresh in mind,
the world watched the opening
of the general disarmament con-
ference at Geneva. Assembled
statesmen heard former British
Foreign Minister Arthur Hender-
son. president of the conference,
say:
"The responsible representa-
tives of 100 million persons
are assembled here. We have
arrived at a historic moment.
The world demands diSarma-
ment. 1t is in our hands to de-
termine the future. l refuse
even to consider the possibility
of failure :"
But developments proved
stronger than wishes. and a few
weeks ago, British Foreign Sec
retary Anthony Eden defended
his countrys armaments as IAN
indispensable means Of bringing
about a European settlement and
strengthening authority Of the
League Of Nations"
"Big Five" In Lead
Today the greater part Of Eu.
ropean armament production is
concentrated among the big Five
Britain, France, Germany, Italy
and Soviet Russia. These nations
are interlocked and tied to smaller
nations in a complicated system of
military alliances, non-aggresSion
and mutual assistance pacts.
According to official figures for
1886, France spent nearly 1000
million dollars, or IS per cent OF
her total budget, on arms. Peace
time strength Of the French army
is 100000, and manpower available
for war is 4,600. 900 men plus 1,500,-
900 colored soldiers. The French
air force, including reserves, num-
bers 5000 planes. The military es-
tablishment has 10000 light and
1880 heavy machine guns, 1850
light and 1900 heavy caliber guns,
$50 anti-aircraft guns, and at least
4,500 tanks.
Russia's Strength
Russia spent $12,848, ,748, 100, or
1873 per cent of her total 1886
budget, for ornaments. Peace
time strength of the Red army is
1.650.000 men plus 10000 GPU
shock troops and 10000 border
guards. War strength of the So
Wet Union is 10,150,0O0 men.
The Red air force, including re-
serves, numbers an estimated 5000
planes. Russia has $4,000 light
and $4,000 heavy machine guns,
1000 small caliber, $500 light and
1900 heavy guns and between g.
600 and 10000 tanks of all sizes.
Britain spent nearly $940,950,-
900, or 202 per cent of her total
budget, on arms. Her peace-time
strength is 10000 men in the
standing army with $4,000 re-
serves, 10000 in the territorial
army and SO, 400 in the air force,
which has $500 planes, including
reserves. Britain has 10000 light
and 4,200 heavy machine guns,
1900 light and 500 heavy caliber
guns and about 500 tanks.
Italy spent 1886, ,724,000, or 20
per cent of her total budget, ex-
penses for the Ethiopian campaign
not included. Her peacetime
strength is 442,500 men and war
strength is 10000 men, or 8,00O,-
600 including navy and colonial
forces.
Germany has refrained from
publishing rearmament figures,
but a dmitted her peace-time
strength is about 300, 900 men.
N. T. ILL., a.