1941-05-13 — Page 23

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 13, 194

CHINA MAIL

WINDSOR HOUSE

POST-WAR PLANNING

may

A nation passing from war to peace is exposed to two dangers. One is that the mere mass of the tasks of reorganisation be too much for its constructive capacity, worn and tired as it is by the strain of an arduous effort. The other is that concentrated exertion is apt to be followed by re- action. The tension of war is a stimulus. In # sense the ordinary man lives above and beyonc himself in an atmosphere. of duty and action; when the tension is relaxed there is a certain nervous weakening; the rigid dis-i cipline of the war be- comes hateful to mind and memory; there is at strong disposition to re- turn to normal habits of life. Of this reactionary ; temper there was a strik- ing illustration after the Napoleonic wars. In 1816 the House of Commons re- pealed the income tax, which Pitt had introduc- ed in 1799, and passed a resolution that all the re- cords should be destroy- ed. There were illustra-

WHITE HOUSE

WAITING THE SIGNAL

LIC

OPINION!

LAND POWER versus SEA POWER

system which he organised after

By

Lord Strabolgi

cope efficiently that only a com- paratively small number of naval offlcers of any nation ever become submarine captains of the first order. The work of every mem- |ber of the crew is highly specialis- ed and at least two years inten- sive training is required for the key men in the crew, who num

dire

tions after the last war. A History is repeating itself in the present WILI. The great notable example was the' Napoleon had his Continental fate of the inter-Allied or- his armies had conquered a great ganisations. In the aut-! part of Europe and his diplomacy, umn of 1918 the British backed by force, had succeeded in neutralising or bringing into Foreign Office urged that active alliance the rest of the for some time after the European Continent, He was then weakened by unrest and even ber about one-third of the com-

faced by Britain only able to ex- active revolt among the conquered piement, conclusion of peace a nuc- reise sea power for a period. To- proples. When this uprising be- leus of international or- of their Continental

Supposing, however, these dit-e day the German publicists speak came active enough in Spain, feulties

system and 'Britain, by the use of sea power,

overcome; British ganisation should be re- taking as an example the success was able to send assistance and in efficiency. An immense British-

counter-measures are increasing tained and that the mach- of diplomacy supported by indeed, to build up a considerable

violence in the Balkans, declare army, and create a new and ex marine warships had

programme of building anti-sub- inery of the blockade that sea power can be beaten.

been em- hausting theatre of war should be superseded by a'

forbarked on before the present war Even if the supreme ordeal of France. The time is approaching broke out and it an attempted invasion of the when British armaments will have and speeded up with the outbreak was expanded system of international British Islands is not accepted, reached such proportions that any of hostilities. This programme is economic control. During the German High Command be-revolting people which can be

bear fruit. lieves it

beginning to

Again," injure British communicated with by sea will the post-war period this seaborne trade as

the expansion of the flying ser- to be able to receive considerable British help.

vices available for the defence of“ organisation was to be force a decision.

The position of Britain vis-a-vis seaborne trade is very great. Very Considering for a moment the the German more or less conterminous

Continental system large numbers of long range air-- experience of the past, the tune is stronger relatively than it was craft of improved efficiency and in its membership with came when Napoleon's power was during the Napoleonic era be-speed are coming into service.Į the League of Nations.

cause the Colonies of those days

Very large figures have been have now grown into The French Foreign Office It is satisfactory, there-Dominions with

great given for the production of new large resources | German submarines during re- approved. Unfortunately fore, to see that Lord and important engineering in- Cent months. The shipbuilding the United States Govern- Reith has large and com- or the North American Continent mun control have a large capacity,

dustries, and because the whole

yards in Germany, or under Ger- ment, to the great disap- prehensive views, that the has been industrialised and de-and this is known with consider-

veloped and is giving great help able accuracy. pointment of Colonel Government is impressed of all kinds to the British Isles.

The figure of 800% House, replied,

which has been given by some through by the character of the To what extent can the Ger- observers, is quite outside the Mr. Hoover, refusing not problem, that it is not mans and Italians hope to cut off capabilities of these shipbuilding only to agree to these pro- afraid of bold plans for the use of submarines and raiding great achievement if even 200 new overseas by resources. It would be a very posed improvements but economic and administra-warships? There is no doubt that submarines, large and small, had

Can 40

this assistance from

also to continue colla- tive reform, that it is great efforts have been made in been completed

Germany particularly to build began.

the German naval authorities have

but nevertheless suitable

for

since the war

As for the attack on commerce]