Berlin, Jan. 7.
A warning that neither Germany nor Italy would remain inactive if an attempt were made by another country to displace the balance of strength between the two sides in Spain is con-taipod in the official "Diplomatische Korrespondenz."
Referring to alleged new activity in certain French circles, the paper declares that "any attempt to inter-fore with the Spanish Civil War parties could only serve an objectionable purpose."
The paper adds that, should an attempt be made to displace the balance of strength of the Spanish Civil War parties, "none could expect that such measures would remain without reaction from the other side."
Mr. Chamberlain "Tolerated"
By supporting President Roosevelt, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the Britis!
Prime Minister, may prejudice the toleration with which he has hithe to been regarded here—this hint thrown out by the German newspapers in commenting on the statement issued from No. 10 Downing-Street on Thursday.
The "Boersen Zeitung" says that Mr. Chamberlain's reply has disappointed the Americans, who "expect him to strike the table at Rome under the protection of a big brother across the water, and call the Duce to order."
The Hamburger Fremdenblatt" says: "Mr. Chamberlain has till now proved himself a realistic politician, but if he is out to appease his po haps temporarily fierce critics in England, he will weaken his position vis-a-vis States who want to pursue a policy on earth, and not in the clouds of hypocrisy."—Reuter, history of the RAF.
The Army has enlisted 28300 men since last April, as compared with 18,960 for the corresponding period during the previous year.
The Navy has experienced some difficulty in finding skilled mechanics, but has a waiting list of 100 boys wishing to enter other branches of the Service. Tye Navy Estimates for the current year provide for a strength of 119,000. Recruiting for the new Fleet Air Arm began on January 1.
War Office Record Told The results of the work done by the War Office could not be attained by masterly inactivity, amateurish superficiality or faltering courage, asserted Mr. Leslie Here-Belisha, the Secretary of State for War, in a speech at Plymouth yesterday.
He was rebutting attacks made against him.
Mr. Here-Belisha declared that, when he went to the War Office nineteen months ago, military advisers reported that the "Army was becoming insolvent both at home, and in its capacity to send drafts to overseas garrisons." Less than 23,000 recruits, it was then stated, had been obtained during the year 1936
The figure estimated for the current financial year, Mr. Here-Belisha stated, was about 40,000 recruits. A far higher type of officer was now being obtained, Mr. Here-Belisha stressed.
For thirty years, the main organization of the Army had remained virtually unaltered. It had now been completely overhauled in all formations and in all units.
The Territorial Field Army had been reformed on the same lines as the Regular Army, involving much conversion, adaptation and replanning. With a personnel of 200,000, it was nearer its full establishment than ever before in its history.
The Supply Branch of the War Office had also been completely reorganized, undertaking a duty incomparably greater in variety and extent than any other Government Department in time of peace.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.