Evening star., 1938-03-07
Disarmament to Follow II
They Succeed, However,
Says Chamberlain.
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
ASKED IN COMMONS
England's Economic Stability
Held by Premier a Deterrent
Against Attack

Britain is launched upon fpe-
yedr program OF rearn,ament to
cost more than 1880 900, 900. ,oith
nearly $4,000, ,000. 900 to be spent in
the merit fiscal year. Prime Min
lister Chamberlain has undertaken
to discuss terms OF settlement wtth
Italy and Germany phich Wiu
lessen European tension and per-
init disarmament.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON. March Prime Min
lister Neville Chamberlain told the
House of Commons today that If the
vital peace talks with Italy and Ger
many. opening this week, failed
Britain would speed up her already
gigantic rearmament program.
But he said If the negotiations sue
ceeded. disarmament would follow In
due course.
The conservative majority repeatedly
cheered the Prime Minister as he ex-
planned his policy of rearming and
at the same time trying to prevent
Europe drifting toward the cataract
Of war" by means Of frank talks with
the leaders Of Italy and Germany.
Denies Bias.
Answering opposition charges that
he was biased in favor OF the die
tatorships. Mr.. Chamberlain In .
fighting speech replied:
Il have to deal with q world in
which relationships exist. I have
no interest in other systems of govern
ment except in so far as they react
on other countries. I have no bias
in favor of Nazism. Fascism or
Bolshevism, because all of them seem
to be inconsistent with what Is all
important to me because it Is the root
Of my political creed-that is. indi-
viduAl liberty" 49,
Vote Of Csnfdence Asked.
Mr.. Chamberlain opened - .rfull
dress" debate on national defense with
. demand for a vote of confidence.
The whole country is determined to
carry through Britain's gigantic five-
year rearmament plan to the finish,
the realistic prime minister de-
clared. Last week the government an.
nounced the original estimate Of
$500. .00o, 900 for this program prob
ably would be exceeded.
The debate, involving foreign policy
as we'll as rearmament. was based on
the governments white paper" of
March 2, estimating 1859 armament
costs at 351, 100000 pounds $l,75s,-
750,000).
Amendments Proposed.
Both the labor and opposition par
ties introduced amendments assert
ing that rearmament was excusable
only If used to reinforce a policy of
collective security, which some of Mr..
Chamberlain's recent statements. ex-
pressing doubts of the effectiveness of
the League Of Nations. have appeared
to abandon.
Unusual importance was attached to
the debate because Of the vital con-
versations opening this week with
Italy and Germany.
Praising Britain's economic sta
bility," Mr.. Chamberlain said it was
a powerful deterrent against attack. :"
He continued:
Unless a nation can feel it possible
to knock out its opponent by q
sudden blow-and recent experience
is not very encouraging to that theory
then the strongest people may hesi-
tate to risk struggle with . country
whose staying power may indefinitely
prolong its resistance"
Fleet in Grand Review.
The debate coinciJed with q grand
Meet review to form q gun studded
background for the talks with Italy
and Germany.
At the same time, both home and
Mediterranean fleets opened a vast
day and night series of seven tactical
exercises, westward of Gibraltar" to
test naval strength.