The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-03-26
BRITISH LABOR
FLAYS POLICY
OF PREMIER.
New Manifesto Jeopardiz-
es Arms Production on
War Time Basis

LONDON, Mar. 26. up)-A
manifesto by representatives of
more than 100000 British work.
! ers, assallln% the government of
Prime Minister Neville Chamber
lain as menace to European
peace, last night jeopardized la
Dor cooperation in Chambcrlaim's
plan to put arms production on
virtually wartime basis.
The National Labor council,
representing Britain'S three larg-
est labor groups after Il two-hour
emergency session, issued Il man.
iiesto of policy berating Cham
berlain's cynical disregard of
the need of defending democrat
cy."
Signed by the Lab or party.
the Trades Union congress and
the Parliamentary Labor party,
the declaration of policy asked:
IA lifting of the British en-
barge on arms for the Spanish
loyalists.
"A rallymg OF British public
opinion to labOr's support in the
cause of national security, inter
national law and order, peace and
democracy.
An Immediate meeting Of
the League Of Nations assembly
under leadership of Britain,
France and Soviet Russia, to con-
slider steps to bring about APP
peasement in central Europe and
Spain.
The labor movements DECLARE
ton, following by three weeks its
manifesto demanding Il general
election to remove the "realistic"
government of Chamberlain be-
cause of his direct dealings with
Germany and Italy, was serious
mainly because Of the govern
ment's efforts to speed up arms
production.
The cabinet, in possession of
secret reports leading it to be-
lieve that speedier arming under
Britain's five-year program OF
preparation for war is an urgent
necessity, sought to enlist the CO.
operation of both labor and capt.
tai in effecting virtual wartime
production.
Through Sir Thomas lnskip,
minister of coordinated defense,
the government was said to be
using all it's means to insure a
FIRST line" strength of 1850
fighting planes within six months,
instead of a year as previously
planned.
Behind these first line planes,
however, were an unknown num-
Der of reserve planes - Identical
with them-and it was reported
that the government aimed at
total strength of 10000 planes.
A series of conferences with
employers and workers, not only
in airplane plants but in naval
shipbuilding yards and munltlon
plants as well, looking toward
doubling of the pace Of re-arma-
ment was underway when the la
Dor attack on the government was
published. " 49,.
What effect the hostile attitude
of representatives of 6,0OO,0oo
workers would have on the plan
was not Immediately evident.
The manifesto attacked Cham
berlain for his statement in the
house of commons Thursday to
the effect that Britain, although
obligated to defend France ana
Belgium in event OF war on the
continent, will undertake no com
mitments in central Europe, IN
Guiding Czechoslovakia, and re-
fuses to bulge from her policy
of strict non-intervention IN
Spain.
1.-The labor movement is grave
" perturbed by the prime MINIS
ter's statement" the National La
Dor council declaration said.
"In the alarming circumstances
described by him he discloses no !
constructive policy for the APP
peascment of Europe of the pre-
yention of war. He has brought !
us back to the Identical poliey !
which led to the outbreak OF the
great war in 1914 and has retuS-
ed to make any immediate use
of the machinery of the League
of Nations for collective security !
TO put a check on lawless aggres-
sion of the Fascist dictators.
His statement that the reia-,
tons of Germany and Czechoslo-
yakia may in the near future
threaten the peace of Europe IN
volve France, Britain and other .
countries. The danger Of war IS
gravely alarming. -,
yet in such circumstances tne
prime minister gave no eXplcl1
warning that the systematic IN
reference Of Nazi Germany IN the
internal affairs of other states
should cease.
"The British labor movement
calls for an immediate meeting, OF
the League of Nations assembly
and for special consideration oy
European members of the league,
particularly France, Britain anu
D,,z,so &c etanc m hp taken III |