1939-05-12 — Page 3

Page

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 12, 1939

Library, Supranac Court

Rage

INCREASED EXPANSION OF R.A.F.: STRENGTH SEORET Rapid Growth Of British Plane Industry

German Output

Exceeded Soon

There is good reason to think that the Air Min- istry is now engaged on a programme which will

BALBO RETURNS NEWSPAPERMEN

TO LIBYA

ARRESTED

Chungking, To-day. Several Chinese newspaper corres- pondents, including Chinese news- papermen attached to the United Air Marshal Balbo, Governor Press, have been arrested by the

Cairo, To-day.

provide a far greater number of first line air-craft of Libya, left Cairo for Libya local authorities. than any expansion scheme yet announced.

yesterday.

They are being held on a charge A Cairo newspaper publishes a of alleged espionage, having sent denial by the Egyptian Premier of out certain information of strategic No official statement regarding this revised reports of alleged negotiations for value to the Japanese. programme has yet been made, and it is quite pos-an Italo-Egyptian pact of amity.

The statement issued by the sible that none will be made. Henceforth, there Egyptian Premier says that Mar- may be no means of judging the progress of our air shal Balbo's visit was purely pri- rearmament other than by the increase in the num-vate. Trans-Ocean. ber of our squadrons.

It is even conceivable that the Air Ministry may cease to publish the meagre information, as to the total number of our operational squadrons, which is contained in the April Air Force List.

Policy concerning publicity of in-will be raised by 30 per cent, and formation about the R.A.F. must be the reserves of our counter-offer- swayed by two conflicting con- sive bombing force will also be in-

creased.

siderations.

On the one hand, it may be felt that revelation of our true strength will merely have the effect of : stimulating other countries to greater efforts. On the other, it is apparent that our Air Force cannot constitute 2 deterrent against aggression if its real strength and striking power are greatly under estimated.

MAKING OTHER NATIONS

GUESS

that The Air Staff may believe the balance of advantage lies in allowing other countries to guess, rather than to know, our true air strength.

. The April Air Force List reveals that we have 125 operational squa- ‚drons at home, including 20 Auxili ary Air Force squadrons. This is two squadrons more than the num: ber, 123, required for the falfilment of the 1936 programme of 1,750 first line aircraft at home by March, 1939.

Z

Undoubtedly, a large proportion | of the machines turned out by the factories has been used to replace obsolete types. But the rate of air- craft production in England during increased by recent months has leaps and bounds.

It is already comparable to, and may shortly exceed, the estimated productive capacity of German air- craft factories.

Since recruiting for the R. A. F. has also been most satisfactory during the past year, we should now be in a position to fix a far higher limit to the number of operational squadrons that we in- tend to provide in England.

NEEDS OF EXPEDITIONARY

FORCE

There is every reason why we should do this. We cannot secure the maximum advantage from this greatly increased productive capa- city unless the British aircraft in- dustry is in a position to plan, well in advance, for the maximum num- ber of air-frames and aero engines now required.

The international

outlook has

due for The 1938 programme, completion in March, 1940, aimed at providing about 3,500 first line ma- chines at home and abroad, includ- ing the Fleet Air Arm: that is, 200 [seriously deteriorated, and Ger- more than the R, A. F. possessed many's potential air strength has greatly increased by the at the time of the Armistice in been

elimination of the Air Force of 1918.

The magnitude of the effort Czechoslovakia, the taking over of thereby involved can be better large quantities of air material, and gauged when it is realised that 20,- the acquisition of important arma-

ment factories. ,000 to 80,000 manhours are ex- pended to-day on the production of military aeroplane, whereas only about 2,000 were required during 1914-1918

OLD PROGRAMME INADEQUATE

The Government has decided to increase considerably the strength of the Territorial Army, and to pro- vide a large expeditionary force.

That force will need about 25 army co-operation squadrons which But the programme announced were not allowed for in the 1988 in May, 1988, was designed to pro- programme. To ensure its safe pas- duce only 2,370 first line machines sage overseas, and to protect its in by March, 1940. It now seems base, it will also require a large wholly inadequate in face of the number of operational squadrons developments that have since suited for dealing with enemy air- taken place and the strength of the craft.

German Air Force which is, to-day These, also, were not provided probably double that number. for, under the 1988 scheme. They That the 1938 scheme would be cân now be obtained only by draw. expanded and accelerated has been ing upon the squadrons formerly announced on several - 'očcasions. considered essential for home, de- But the only official intimation of fence in days when we were not how-thin fs to be

the contemplating the despatch of

flarge held force to the Continent. statement that our nght

LET US

HAMMER THIS FACT HOME

ANDREWS LIVER SALT

VIGORA

Andrews;

It is stated that Mr. R. P. Mar- tin, Special. Correspondent for the United Press, was also arrested but later released. Our Own

pondent.

The tin contains Andrews as sold in England for nearly 50 years. · Due to its finely balanced, in- grédients, it is meant to effervesce slowly and should be well stirred.

It is the Ideal Tonic Laxa- tive with the refreshing. “qualities of a saline. The tin is, therefore, recom mended, but it is empha- sised that the bött?"- In still available for those who prefer not to change.

ANDREWS is better in the TIN

BUT YOU CAN STILL BUY THE BOTTLE with the

Andrews to which you have previously been accustomed.

ANDREWS

Bole

LIVER SALT

for Inner Cleanlings.

BANKER & CO., LTD., P. O. Box 755

Corres-