The Washington times., 1937-03-03

tIiTS., KntcEeTb0cEeT, 1Dho re-
turned to the United States re-
Gently after coDering the ciUil
Dar in Spain, is Leaving shortly
to resume his European duties.
BY H. r. KNICKERBOCKER
Copyright. 1887, by International
News Service)
NEW YORK, March 3.-Europe's
war machine has shifted into
high gear. Italy's declaration of
defiance to Britain marks today
the beginning of period in Eu-
rope of utter concentration upon
ornaments. From now on the ma
tional life of every country on the
continent will more than ever be
devoted to one primary thing,
namely, preparation for the COM
ing conflict.
Immediate developments ex-
pected by authoritative observers
are:
/. That Britain will now re-
double her already colossal eff
forts to overtake and outStrip
Germany and Italy in arms, and
will even add to her $500 mil
hon.dollar arms budget for the
next five years. This budget al
ready has provided for doubling
her navy by 1912 and for 5000
war planes by the end Of 1888.
Loan to Placate Reich
2. That Britain will attempt
to buy peace until British arms
are strong enough to enforce it.
This means that sometime in
the near future, observers an
ticipate, Britain will offer Ger
many a loan big enough to
placate the Reich for a year or
so. During this period British
rearmament, gaining speed
every day, will have time to
catch up with and perhaps sur
pass the Reichswehr.
British rearmament Is now re-
vealed at its true value: the most
important event in Europe since
the war. The British aim at
present is by every means possible
to postpone the war until British
arms are perfected. Then, they
hope they may be strong enough
to prevent the war happening at
all, or at any rate be strong
enough to keep out of it them
selves.
The year 1899 is considered the
nearest date for anything like
British arms equality with Ger
many, which has been arming
feverishly ever since Hitler came
to power in 1888. Until that date
Britain will make every feasible
concession to Germany, as she has
already made to Italy.
Why Eden Is Mild
This is why the British foreign
secretary, Anthony Eden, while
mildly rebuking the German am
bassador to London, Herr Won
Ribbentrop, for demanding return
of all of Germany's colonies,
nevertheless did not say that
Britain would not in the future
discuss the colonial question with
Germany.
Meanwhile the arms race is
rapidly becoming an obSession
which threatens to consume the
energies of every nation involved.
Italy, replying to Britain'S re-
armament, has just proclaimed
"total mititarization" of all men
from 18 to SIS years old. and that
means, MuSsolini told me a short
while ago, that he can put under
arms 100000 soldiers. At the
same time the Duce plans to ex-
pand his air force which with
5000 warplanes is already consi-
dered the best in Europe.
And this is why Britain, against
her imperial interests, has been
willing to let Germany and Italy
win with Franco in Spain, rather
than risk letting the civil war be-
come international.
Germany is now reported to
have 100000 men in its regular
army, with 100000 reserves and an
air force rated at 5000 to 1000
planes. Goering has announced
he intends eventually to have an
air force equal to the combined
might of France and the Soviet
Union.
Soviet Strength Grows
The Soviet Unions standing
army, now 100000 strong, will
be 1000, 900 by 1910, and her esti-
mated 1000 planes will be doubled
if Moscow'S plans can be COM
pleted.
France is counted upon soon to
increase its period of military
service in the attempt to bring its
army Of 665, ,000Nmen to a strength
nearer that of her big neighbor.
Every country in Europe is
rapidly approaching its maximum
level of preparations for war.
Italy has come nearest to reach
ing its top. Britain has the
strongest potentiality. If war can
be put off long enough it is pos
sibie that the immense economic
resources of the British Empire
may intimidate the belligerent
nations into holding their fire for
an indefinite period.