1937-02-18 — Page 9

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1937.

IMMEDIATE EXPANSION OF THE THREE

ITALY TO RUN

IN ARMS RACE?

1.

Grand Council To Meet

Rome, Feb. 17.

Special importance is attached to the session of the Fascist Grand Council, which is scheduled to take place on March 1. It is belleved that although Count Ciano will speak on foreign policy, Secretary Starace on porty affairs, as well. as the competent ministers on the economical und Anancial situation, the main topic will be the future armaments and the military situa- tion.

It in generally known that Mussolini has for some time past been thinking of further armia- ments and that during the last week he had no fewer than eight conferences with the Supreme Military Command leadera

and army

It has been officially announced hat in "view of the latest develop menta," Italy's position in regard to armaments has to be regarded thoroughly. There fa little doubt but that the British defence loan and the armament programme are responsible for the Italian confer- ence, since the news of Britain's step created considerable surprise and consternation in Italian mill- tary circles.

...It is therefore believed that a large scale armaments programme. especially in the air and on the sea, will be announced forthcoming session of the Fascist Grand Council.--- Transocean News Service.

at the

KING CAROL ANNOYED

Foreign Diplomats At Funeral

Bucharest, Feb. 16. The attendance of diplomatic representatives of Germany, Italy," Poland Japan, Portugal, Yugo Savia and Natioanlist Spain at the funeral of two members of the Fascist Iron Guard, who

SERVICES

Gigantic Programme To

Safeguard Security

Heavy Expenditure On New Navy Construction

London, February 17.

The two days' defence debate in the Commons this evening will be opened by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain. Leading members of all political parties will take part.

A feature of the White Paper on defence expenditure issued last night, which bas aroused special interest, is the warning it contains that it would be imprudent to contemplate the total expenditure on defence during next five years at much less than £1,500 millions.

Newspapers state, that this forecast of average expenditure of £300 milions annually over a period came as a surprise to Members of Parliament, who eagerly scanned the White Paper in the lobbies last night. In the current financial year, expenditure on defence will cost about £188 millions of the estimated total of £1,500 milionis, Government is seeking authority to borrow up to £400 millions.

An immediate expansion pro gramme of the three Services is outlined in the White Paper.

In regard to the Navy, a heavy buliding, programme is indicated. In the next financial year three capital ships similar to those in- cluded in the 1936 programme wil De fald down. Seven cruisers in addition to the seven provided for In the 1938 programme will be in cluded in the 1997 programine, and work on two additional aircraft carriers will be begun.

The cost 0: the 1937 new construction programme would be substantially higher than that of 1936 which, including measures of acceleration, would cost £50,000,- 000 as against the average cost of 1931-4 of less than £13,000,000.

Heavy expenditure will be in curred in modernising the existing cruisers as well as battleships, and the Fleet Air Arm is to be substan- tially augmented.

REGULAR ARMY

The main increase in the cost of the Regular Army would be for modernisation of equipment of all branches of the Service. This in- were cludes acceleration of the process killed in Spain while fighting on of mechanization, and provision is the de of the Insurgents, has being made for accumulation of caused deep offence. Ini royal, and immense reserves of ammunition parliamentary circles here.

the first, months before the productive capacity can be in-

creased,

to

cover

timately the equipment of the The intention to Improve ul-

Territorial Army in the same way is also announced.

11

ANTI-AIRCRAFT DEFENCE

London, Feb. 17;

With regard to provision of anti-aircraft defence. It is stated that new and more eficient types of guns are being manufactured together with large numbers od searchlights and other equipment, and reserves of ammunition being accumulated.

Balloons and equipment for balloon barrages are being manufactured.

are

Plans are being made to ensure that the organisation for air de fence will be readily adaptable to meet whatever type of air attack this country might be called upon

to face.

It is the Government's firm belief that the programme in the form presented in the White Paper is a contribution indis- pensable to peace and one which it is the duty of the people of this country to make.-- British Wireless.

ITALIAN APPREHENSIONS

Rome, Feb. 15. Italians are impressed by Bri- tain's zrim determination to make good the deficiencies in her arma- mants, and are amazed at vost inancial expenditure in- volved

the

It is felt that Britain and France are lifting the armaments race to heights difficult for the poorer

Powers to attain without putting

RESHUFFLE IN CABINET

Baldwin To Retire After Coronation

London, Feb. 27. Contrary to the previous" beller that Mr. Stanley Baldwin would retain the Premiership Bill the summer recess, political circles are now all agreed that he is almost certain to resign directly after the Coronation.

Also Mr. Ramsay MacDonald and Lord Hailsham will resign. The latter has been constantly in - health in the past year, and the former has been obliged to con sider his eyesight.

It goes without saying that Mr. Neville Chamberlain will be the new Premier.

.

Who will become Chancellor of the Exchequer is the subject of the keenest speculation- Sir Samuel Hoare and Sir John Simon are considered as the chief claim- ants, but it is conceivable that Sir John Simon will be raised to the peerage to succeed Lord Hailsham as Lord Chancellor, in which cane it is possible that Mr. Walter Runciman will go to the Treasury, which is regarded as very sound and he is generally liked. Sir John Simon's appointment to the Wool- sack cannot be taken for granted as it might involve special pro- blems.

Other changes' prophesied In- volve the supersession of Mr. Dut Cooper, and Mr. Ernest Brown.

Neville Chamberlain will bring in It is generally expected that Mr.

another National Labour member to

acter of the cabinet on Mr. Ramsay maintain the national char-

MacDonald's withdrawal. The only . certainty is that Mr. Neville Chamberlain knows his own mind and will have a very cleur notion Reuter. of what he wants to do

RETURN OF THE HAPSBURGS

Press Attitude

Budapest, Feb. 18. The statement made by the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigg, about the return of the Hapsburgs to the Austrian an intolerable burden on

Throne. their

draws the

attention of citizens. and Italiana are appre-mist propaganda in Hungary.

the press to the activities of Legiti bensive concerning the extent to which the race will continue.

The Legitimist papers state that the restoration is imminent, and the "Magyarsag" stated that "soon an entirely new Austria will have to be reckoned with in the Inter- Rome. Feb. 1. The Fascist Grand Counc has Government organs and the right national European situation." The been convoked

for March 1, towing organs, however, show can- "examine the military situation in the light of existing necessities." siderable reserve

Neuter. The creation

of two new infantry battalions and one new tank battalion is provided for

King Carol, who watched passage of the cortege from the house of a friend, summoned the Prime Minister, M. Tatarescu and " angrily asked how it came about that hundreds of Iron Guards and Legionaries were allowed to parade in a forbidden uniform. *hv 400 priests of the

Greek Orthodox Church marched in the procession, and how diplomatic representatives could be present. The White Paper stresses that Parliament tackled M. Tatarescu Britain has become increasingly later and questioned him about vunerable to air attack, and adds the Cabinet's attitude towards the that the sirength of the Royal Air demonstration. The Prime Minis-Force has become a matter of ter replied that the matter was paramount importance and DO moet serious. Foreign diplomats, effort has been or tis, being spared

"AIR FORCE

of

efficiency

which deem requisite for

he declared, could not be per- to bring it up to strength and the mitted to participate in internal standard politics and affairs. This condem- Government nation was greeted with warm ap-safety." plause by the Chamber.

It is noted that the manpower

It is understood that some of of the force has increased from the diplomatic representatives 31,000 in 1984 to more than 50,000 concerned will be recalled in con- in 1936 and it is announced that sequence of the Prime Minister's warning.

A further large increase is .con- Reuter.

templated in the coming financial year

DANGEROUS ROCKS TO BE BLOWN UP

Scene Of Several Past Disasters

•

The present frat line strength of the Metropolitan Air Force is now about 1,000 as compared with 580 when expansion was begun, and provision in the estimates of the current year for aeroplanes and spares was £19,800,000 as com- pared with the average in pre- expansion years of about £6,000,- 000.

Canton.- Feb. 17. " The provincial authorities here to-day decided to dynamite the A further 750 Brst line aircraft Kan Chuh rocks, which were the are required for the Home force "cause of the recent disaster to the additional to 185 for oversea units. Low-boat "Man Chu resulting in and another 250 for the Fleet Air the death of over 70 persons. Arm. "

The rocks are known as Joss

The 'White Paper states that in Censer Shoals, the scene of sevc addition to the first line machines ral disasters in the past. The sufficient reserves must be obtain water there is shallow, but the fed to ensure that the first line Current La running rapidly strength can be adequately main throughout the year, making it tained on active service. dangerous for shipping. Union News.

R.M.S. QUEEN MARY AGAIN ON RUN

WAR POTENTIAL

of

Stepa are, also being taken to build up what has become known as war potential In the aircraft industry, over and above

the expansion of the capacity existing aircraft. Arma, steps have The Cunard-White Star liner been taken to build shadow air- Queen Mary, re-enters the North | craft factories. Atlantic service to-day. Balling

London, Feb. 17.

The same princip'e is being

from Southampton with 935 pas-adopted in regard to supply of sengers for New York-

British Wireless.

other types of munitions.----

British Wirciest.

COUNCIL CONVOKED.

The convocaton of the Cound is regarded as a reply to the Bri-

and French

tish plans,

re-armament ·

The Council will also hear a re- port on the anxious situation arising from the continued fall in the birthrate... Renter's Bulletin Sermee.

BERLIN COMMENT

she

In their com- menta- Transocean News Service.

DUTCH EAST INDIES FISCAL RECEIPTS

Amsterdam, Feb. 17. The fiscal receipts from the Dutch East Indies for the year: 1938 represent an increase of 20 mlikan florins over those of 1835. The receipts totalled 400.8 millions as compared with '379.1 millions

Berlin, Feb. 18. Commenting on Britain's re-arm- ament" programme, a spokesman of the Wilhelmstrasse said Ger- many did not deny Britain the last year. right to arm to the extent which Transocean News Serosch she deemed necessary, but claimed the same right.

On the other hand, Berlin ques- tions Britain's need to extensively. believing that Bri tain's position is far less exposen than Germany's.

Political circles ask: "Where is all this leading? Won't Italy, France Russia and other nations have to follow sult?"- Reuter

FRANCE PLEASED

arm so

Paris, Feb, 10. Great Britain a tremendous de- fence efforts are bound to have à salutary effect, it is felt here..

France welcomes the fact that Britain intends that the freedom of the seas" shall not be a vain phrase.

While the military programme seems to indicate that Britain would be, able smallest force

to put only the in the feld, the plans for an immense reserve of munitions are hailed as a wise precaution. Reuter.

AMERICAN ATTITUDE

Washington, Feb. 18. The Immediate effect on Con- grees of the vast British defence

GOERING VISITS POLAND

Warsaw, Feb. 15. General Herman Goering. Reich Alr Minister, has arrived here, ostensibly for another hunting expedition in Bialowiede.

However, he is accompanied by his secretary, and spent to-day making ofcial calls-- fenter's Bulletin Service.

MART

MARTINI

ITALIAN

VERMOUTH

SOLE AGENTS:

CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO., LTD.

SPANISH WAR

FODDER

Feverish Activity Before Control

Paris, Feb. 17,

The Spanish steamer Vicente la Erda has departed from Marseilles with a large cargo of war, material and food supplies, according to the "Echo de Paris" The Valencia authorities have ordered 300 lorries, to be transported from Brussels overland to Spain.

The paper further reports that a plane left Toulouse for Barcelona, the plane being a "Coudron" type. The paper states that this is a

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proof of the feverish activity of the RIVERS BURST Red authorities to get as much war material as possible, into the country before the control plan comes into effect.--- · Tranincs News Servica

י

VESSEL CAPTURED

Paris, Feb. 17. steamer

The Dutch

THEIR BANKS

Heavy Loss Of Life In Portuguese East Africa

Lisbon, Feb. 17.

FOREIGN

1

COMPANIES IN RUSSIA

in

Moscow, Feb. 17. The number of agencies repre- senting foreign companies Russia have been greatly reduced carrying war material from Mariguese East Africa are reported to Italian agency la registered at pre- Dobesa, Two thousand natives of Fortuin 1530. No German, French or sellies to Alicante for the Red, have been drowned, when two sent, while Czechoslovaida's Skoda Government, was captured by the rivers burst their banks. The works, the British Vickers and the Nationalists, according to a French capital of Lorenzo Marques is cut awedish Asca are still represented report from Seville. The cargo is off from the outside world and valued at 30 million pesetas, states communications are disrupted. The Transocean News Service.

in Soviet Russia.— the Nationalist headquarters.--- Transocean News Service

conditions have been only briefly related by radio messages,

MORE MANPOWER

Paris, Feb. 17. Volunteers to the number of 7.920 departed by railway for Spain from Paris alone during August 1936 stated "Le Jour." In view of the many other possibilities to proceed to Spain, the paper says it would not be an exaggeration to place the number of French volunteers at 20,000.-

Transocean News Service.

FRIGHTFULNESS OF ACTUAL WAR Weapon For Those Who Battle For Peace

Berlin, Feb. 10. The new pacinam, born from first-hand experience of the frightfulness of actual war, will be the most powerful weapon in the hands of all those who battle for pesce," declared the Com- mander-in-Chief of the German Defence Forces, Marshal von Blomberg at the session of the International War Veteran's Com- 'mittee here.

The reason-the Field-marshal continued that previous efforts questions and means to prevent at a settlement of the standing. the recurrence of war did not aucceed, was that at the time in- ternational comradeship of War veterans did not yet exist! Sol- diera who demand honour and respect for their own rights, will always be willing to respect and honour the rights of others."-- Transocean New Servion.

YOUNG MARSHAL'S CIVIL RIGHTS

Shanghai, Feb., 17.

expenditure, is likely to be the speeding up of the passage of the Neutrality Bull. The average. Con- cosman argues that if DON- alarmist Britain is rearming the European situation must indeed. be explosive,

Unofficial quarters presume the United States Navy will continue to keep pace with Britain's expan alan, but a decision is not likely The Government has restored pending a decision in the dispute Marshal Chang Houch-liang's ctyll with the steel manufacturers, rights, which he was deprived of which is blocking the naval build-after his trial in connection with ing programme.

the Slantu Terol- Reuter,

Reuter

Plane observers state that the overflowing of the rivers is caus- ing havoc and heavy loss of lives. Rester's Bulletin Service,

MIAJA'S POWERS

Madrid, Feb. 10, General Miaja, Chief of the Defence Junta, has been appoint- ed supreme military commander in the operations for defence of Madrid.-

Reuter's Bulletin Service.

FRENCH SEAMEN UP IN ARMS

Paris, Feb. 17. The French steamer Bontora. which was scheduled to all for Africa, .could not lift anchor, as the crew refused to work, alleged- ly because of bad food. There were 140 passengers on board.

Two steamers at Rouen could not put to sea, as the crew "started a strike because of a wage dispute.— Transocean News Service,

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