War Secretary Reiterates Solidarity With France in Event of European War London, Mar, GeO what extent should Great Britain be prepared, in the event of war, to intervene with her land forces on the continent of Europe This question was asked and partially answered by Mr, Leslie Here-Belisha, the Secretary of State for War, introducing the Army Estimatesin the House of Commons today.
The question, declared Mr. Here-Belisha, was a searching one, and could only be adequately discussed within the context of the country's strategy: problems.
Mr. Here-Belisha referred to the declaration of the Prime Minister, Mr, Neville Chamberlain, on December 14 last year, which he had re-infareed on February 11, and which, the War Secretary said, left no doubt as to the position which, in certain eventualities, Great Britain would assume.
On that occasion, the Premier had said he felt "bound to make it plain that the soli ity of interest by which France and this country are united is such that any threat to the vital interest of France from whatever quarter it came must evoke the immediate ce-operation of this country."
That declaration, Mr. Here-Belisha Regular Army during the current said, was of greater significance than financial year. riy which had preceded it, and made Air Force Strengthened it incumbent on them to consider, and He then indicated various achieve-prepare for, the use of field force in ments atained during the current Certain eventualities, year. Anti-aircraft defence units "Conversations, between ourselves have been Increased from two to five and the French," the War Secretary and' will be further increased to stated, "have not committed usin this respect, but prudent minds shoud bbe ready for any eventuality.
"If we are involved In war, our contribution, and the ways in which we can best make it, will not be hai-hearted, nor based upon any theory of limited ability.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.