THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY;
· FEBRUARY
7, 1936,
NATIONAL DEFENCE: GLARING DEFECTS OF
THE WHOLE TRUTH
WHAT THE COUNTRY IS NOT TOLD
INSIDE STORY OF THE
PEACE
CRISIS
London, Jan. 16.
HE Morning Post to-day placed before its readers T
a full review of Britain's position in the present international situation,
The facts are grave and unpalutable, but they have been collected from unimpeachable sources. It should be emphasised that everything now to be put before the public is already well known to our possible enemies. Only the British public remains ignorant of the real state of affairs, and sound judgment of policy cannot be found- ed on ignorance of the facts.
IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST
While the disclosures may be considered distasteful and startling, they justify neither panic nor pessimism. Indeed, it will be obvious that it is in the national interest that the facts should be properly appreciated and calmly considered-while there is still time for the necessary action-rather than that the country should drift unknowingly into real danger.
+
Serious attention is directed to the general review of the whole problem which appears below, and to the further and more detalled articles which will appear to-morrow and in subsequent issues,
ABYSSINIA-AND
AFTER
"I have seldom spoken with greater regret, for my lips are not vet unscaled. Were these troubles over I would make a case, and I quarantee that not a man would go into the lobby against is. "—MR. BALDWIN, in the House of Commons on December 10, 1936.
Twenty-four hours before Mr. [dnie at the General Election to in- Baldwin made this pronouncement (crease our defences. But it was In the House of Commons, the realised that it would take time to Cabinet had endorsed the ill-fated carry this mandate into effect. Hoare-Laval peace terme.
Following are the principal reasons that inspired them to do 80. They constitute the "caso" referred to by Mr. Baldwin-which, If it had been known at the time, would have given pause to even those who disliked the terms in themselves and were most eager to criticise the Cabinet for endorsing "Sir Samuel Hoare's action In pat-
ting the terms forward.
The Immediate Danger
Great Britain was and still- faced with an international situa. tion of great gravity. That is the considered opinion of those in the best position to judge.
the Potential developments in Abyssinian war constitute the im- mediate danger, not so much in themselves, but beenuse of their probable sequel.
At no time have the Government doubted the ability of our defence forces to deal with any situation that might arise immediately out in of League of Nations action connection with the Abyssinian conflict; although it has been realised for some time that the brunt of any such action would fall on Great Britain.
But auch is the deplorable condition of our defences to. day, and so certain is it that. other members of the League would be unwilling or unable to provide effective help, that aven the losses such action would inevitably entail-rela tively small as they might well be would leave this country perilously weakened.
In applying
Therefore, as the Abyssinian war still continued in spite of League action, and in view of the obvious dangers entailed further sanctions, the Government knew that it was urgent for the future peace of Europe that the conflict should be settled as soon as possible.
That is why the Government originally endorsed the Hoare- Laval peaco terms, however much all concerned may have disliked the terms in them- acives.
As Sir Samuel Hoare said in his p speech in the House of Commons on December 19:
"Neither M. Laval nor I liked many features of them (the peace proposals), But that basis did seem to us to be the only basin upon which it was even remotely likely that we could at least start a peace discussion,... So far us I myself | was concerned it seemed to me to .to.
negotin: .start be so important.
even if it had to be on this basis, that much as I disliked some features of the scheme, I could not] withhold my provisional assent. I felt that the issues were so grave and the dangers
of the continuance) of the war were so serious that it was worth making an attempt, and casential that it was
maintain to Anglo-French solidarity. It was in this spirit and this spirit alone that we agreed to the suggestions. That alone is the explanation and funti. fication of the Paris communique." France Will Not March
In addition, three further con- | siderations make the position more serious:
They Said-
Only three of our capital shipa to-day are post-war. The design of the remainder dates from the days before aircraft attack had to be taken into account, and many of our cruisers are obsolete as regarde modern requirements..
Mr. Baldwin, In his Broad- cast speech on October 25, 1985.
Throughout all these difficult and anrious weeks it has been made abundantly clear to us that we have been gravely handicapped by the fact the knowledge of which is widespread upon the Continent that our defensive forces have fallen to a dangerous- ly low level.
Mr. N. Chamberlain, at Kelso, September 21, 1935.
The worship of force in many parts of the world compels un, in the interests of world peace, to look to our own defencER.
Sir Samuel Hoare, lansard, October 22, 1035.
Unless this great country of ours posezes a Navy that is suprems-and if it is materially ogual, it will be supremE-AVO shall, I believe, lose this, great Empire of ours, and we will__not be able to fulfil the great obliga- tions we have undertaken all over the world.
Admiral of the Fleet Slr Rozer Keyes, Authors' Club dinner, December 2, 1935.
A flest of British ships of war are the best negotiators in Europe. They always speak to be under- stood, and generally gain their point. Their arguments CATTY conviction to the breasts of our enemics.
Nelson to Lady Hamilton in a letter written from the St. George, March 13, 14, and 16, 1801.
policy, and it became all the more imperative to obtain peace outside the League.
"Not a Ship, Not a Man"
Sir Samuel Hoare obviously had these considerations in mind when, In the speech referred to, he stated:
"We alone have taken these mill- Lary precautions. There is the British Fleet in the Mediterranean, there are the British reinforcements in Egypt, in Malta and Aden. Not a ship, not a muchine, not a man has been moved by any other mem- ber State. Now that negotiations have failed, we must have
Komo-
BRITAIN'S DEFENCE
FACTS ABOUT THE FLEET: SHORTAGE OF SHELLS
The following summary shows the position in which Great Britain has been placed by the neglect of her de fences in recent years.
In succeeding issues of the Morning Post the defects cpitomised below will be subjected to detailed examina. tion. NAVY
1. Since the Great War stocks of Ammunition have been allowed to fall for below the usual re- serve. As a result, when the to the Mediter- Fleet went
was barely enough ranean, there was ammunition available.
+2.
3.
Arrangements for rapid ex- pansion of manufacture of war material by 'private firms have not been made, and State ar- senals are incapable of meeting our full needs.
seriously it will take some years properly to train the additional personnel re quired. The present shortage is Imposing an unfair atrain on the existing personnel.
Naval personnel in inadequate,
have been for many years, 4. All the standard tanks
out and obsolete.
ато
5. Special tanks to co-operato with infantry are not yet avall. able, nor are anti-tank guns which are needed for both local and "area" defence.
6. Cavalry and infantry are using out-of-date and unreliable automaties, judged by modern standards.
8.
7. Under the new scheme, the Army lacks a considerable num- ber of
of machine-guns,
the With increasing mechanis- ation of the Army, it is more dependent than ever before an Imported all. (Sco Naval posi- tion.)
1. There la a very serious de. ficiency of modern anti-aircraft guns.
10. Tho Regular Army is deficient
in anti-aircraft units.
11. There is little or no provision for the anti-aircraft defence of anywhere in the country excopt Greater London,
4. We have not sufflelent force to safeguard our food supply in the event of war with a Great Power possessing a large and efficient force of submarines or commerco raiders. Both Ger-! many and Italy have large forces of efficient submarines for and other craft suitable attacking trade routes. 5. Our cruiser and destroyer
BCT below
what strength is far necessary roleto
Our battleships are. mainly
obsolescent. AIR FORCE
or
io!
8. Certain technical considera-
tiona дго liable to entall dangerous delay in the building of the new ships which are so urgently needed,
7. Our oll supply, in the event of
war, would be in feopardy.
ARMY
1. Today the Regular and Terrie torial armies and reserves, total 451,453
with compared 697,119 in 1913-a reduction of 245,666.
2.
સ
Apart from the Army reserve, would be absorbed on
Mention in bringing the Regular Army up to war strength,
gth, the only reserve for the Regular Army is the Terri- torial Army. Since the War, even the Militia, which was the reserve for the Regular Army, has been abolished.
3. The reserven of stores and
equipment are lower than they!
12. The Territorial Army, which is solely responsible for Home anti-aircraft defence (ground Lroopa),
under is seriously strength. It also lacks the latest scientifle equipment.
I. Our strength has been allowed to fall far below danger point. At present rates of expansion, Germany will have 2,000 Arsté line aeroplanes by March, 1937, while Great Britain, with heavy overseas commitments, will have at most 2400 machines, of which only 1,600 will be avail- able for home defonce,
2. The Fleet Air Arm is in«
adequate.
1. Other countries have alreądy arranged greater expansion facilities than this country.
4. The number of strategical zerodromes In the Empire is in- adequate owing to the small scale of our subsidised commer- clal flying.
6. Our heavy bombers are in- sufficient in numbers relative to other types.
6. Our provision for stimulating
and maintaining technical de velopment la inadequate.
protestations of loyalty to the wave of hysterical propaganda Grave of
British Hero In Ethiopia
thing more than these general sudden and perhaps unprecedented League. I say that again, not be against them. For a time a large cause we, the British Empire, are section of the public, led by most afraid of an Italian attack upon us of the Press (even those organs but because without this active co- operation collective security is Im that had previously given blind possible, and the League will dis support to the Government) and by solve. I say it further, because I the League of Nations Union, throw belfeve that without this active co-aside restraint and united in an
Adigrat, Jan. 26. will operation it bo Impossible to emotional storm of disapproval. The gravo of a British
unsatisfactory Practical than дл
considerations were here who died during the Napier
have more
peace. You cannot have a 100 perfignored; even the terms themselves cent., pence if you have only got were stifled at birth without calm campaign in Ethiopia is being 5 per cent. co-operation that goes consideration. Few stopped to contended near here to-day by the to the making of it....
sider that the Government might Italian Army. "It is a choice between the full have excellent reasons, unknown to co-operation of all the member the public, for endorsing Sir Samuel unsatis Hoare's action in putting these factory compromise that was con terms forward.. templated in the suggestions which M. Laval and I put up."
States and the kind of
To-day Great Britain stands almost alone, with no friends
Behind the Scenes
In this wave of excited feeling, on whom she can count, and Mr. Baldwin's famous remark, with little possibility of making article, was momentarily forgotten. which is quoted at the head of this any. A year ago she could Frantic political manœuvres went have counted on the support on behind the scenes. Sir Samuel of France and Italy in any Hoare, owing to an accident, was The first is that it has become It would take her time to repair|Increasingly clear that France will
threat to the peace of Europe. delayed in his return to England, which gave his opponents a clear her losses and to increase her never fight except in face, of.n To-day, owing to the weakness of start. As a result, it soon became strength; and during that time she threat of invasion of any of her her armed forces, her policy at clear to the Government that they would be at the most serious dis own territories. The arinics of Geneva-though Inspired by the were in serious danger of defeat, advantage should any aggressivo France will not march for the highest motives-bas, while failing Great Power select the moment to League of Nations unless France is to stop or to end the war, anta- make demands, territorial or directly concerned. France, too, ronised Italy and confused Anglo- economic.
has been seriously embarrassed by French relations. tho effect of her polley at Genova on her relations with Italy, whom she Alienating Allies regards as an indispensable ally.
.
We Have Most to Lose
The British Empire has more to lose than any other member of the 'League, and morg to defend. Events of the past few months have mado It clear to the Government that, in certain eventualities, this country will be expected to take for greater risks than any other Leaguo member. The Government also know that If the policy which many people with the highest motives vigorously advocate to-day is push- ed to its logical extreme, the Em- pire will be placed in a position of scate danger which the public as a whole does not as yet appreciate. Many of those who believe In,
It is the final resting place of Colonel A. R. Dunn, who had been awarded the Victoria Cross for valour on the field of battle. Around him aro buried five Italian soldiers and three Italian officers but this humble gitiveyard in the shadows of the mishapen Amba Matara mountain peak is called the "English Cemetery."
Only twenty yards from tho dusty road that joins Adigrat and Senafe, the tomb-stones are con- stantly being discoloured by the red powder that is swirled up by passing trucks and marching soldiers en route, to the Blakale- Dole front, but every morning a soldier of the Italian Engineer- ing Corps brushes the dust from Perhaps the Government made a off the crosses and stones. mistake in not taking the public
Flowers On Grave more into their confidence, in which When I arrived there in the case, no doubt, much of the critic-afternoon, writes a United Preas ism would have been withdrawn. correspondent, some red mountain But, whatever the rensohs that flowers had just beer placed on The second is that Germany, tremes, the support of France will keep his lips sealed, it is clear that have
If this policy is pushed to ex-prompted the Prime Minister to Colonel Dunn's grave. They may with whom Great Britain had be jeopardised, and Italy will bo it. would not have been in the as- English correspondent who
been put there by somo hoped to make further pacts come an open and active antagonist. tional Interest to risk a defeat at passed by, but it is more probable and arrangements, has made it Whatever the outcome-and the a time of such crisis, clear that she will do nothing possibility is that Italy, would col at the moment-partly, because lapse into chaos or Communism she wishes to wait and see who the future support of a powvorful comes best out of the present would be lost beyond recall. The ally with two million bayonets crisis, and partly because she latter event, indeed, is now almost believes that Britain's defences Inevitable, even If an embarrassing are so weak, and will take so and expensive war in the Meditor- long to repair, that she need be rancan is avoided. in no hurry to enter into any pacts with her.
Unless, therefore, Immediato steps are taken to put Britain's do
hud
that this act of memory was per- formed by an Italian soldier as It is equally clear that criti-the cometory is now hidden from cism of any errors in the past is view by great piles of supplies, a quite unprofitable. The first wooden store-house and a hos- essential is to correct the pital tent.. widespread public misunder- The inscription on the marble standing that deflected the slab that is sunken to this mound Government from their course of the middle gravo.reads: "In of action and has resulted only 33rd Rt. who died at Sennfo on Memory of A. R. Dunn, V.C., Col. in the most dangerous delay. January 26, 1868." This stone
collective security through the The third is that while Italy bo- fences in order, she will be placed The second is to give the GovernI was told, was erected by men of League agree with those who do came increasingly truculent, other in the weakest possible position to ment the fullest support in any de an Askari column under command not so believe that our defences are members of the League did not be refuse the demands which aggres-tence measures they may take of titan officers in 30metery inadequate. But the Government come proportionately more helpful. sive Powers are likely to make in The summary which appears in this was put up by the Italians in 1927.
atone wall around the know the full truth, which is that Just as France was becoming more the futuro.
column gives an indication of the The same year an iron cross was our defence forces are quite. In-and more reluctant to be involved,
dedelencies that have to be made also placed thoro. adequate, even, to meet our League other nations were making it clear All this was realised only too good before Britain once again can Colonch Dunn, who died at obligatione. In fact, it is argued that the prospect of effective collec clearly by the Government, and take an elective part in securing by many competent authorities that tive support was an illusion. membership of the League, with Moreover, with the progress of the
they hoped that, if the Hoare- the peace of the world. Those de Senate of illness, was a member of the Famous 33rd Regiment the far-reaching obligations entall Abyssinian. war, China, Japan and
Laval Peace Terms resulted in ficiencies will be dealt with in de- which stormed Magdala in April, ed, demands even stronger defences Egypt began to show signs of
the settlement of the Abyssin tall in succeeding articles in the 1868. The regiment was march- than a policy of isolation or al- trouble.
ian war, a source, of future Morning Post."
ing into the village when a Bancesty, ag
trouble would be stopped and Taken In conjunction with the the Emparor, Theodore of the single shot was hebrd. It was Electoral Mandate
they would have time to carry facta stated above, they reveal for Ethiopian who had just blown out their defence plans, the first time the Inner history of cut his brains with a silver- But when the nature of these one of the most critical episodes in mounted pistol which had been terms beejme, known, there was a recent times.
These considerations prompted the Government to ask for a man-i
Thus the British Government found themselves without the essentials either for a full- blooded ponce or à full-blooded
given him by Queen Victoria:
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