Summary of Progress

His bulldog jaw unexpectedly stiff, Stanley Baldwin rose last week to make the strongest statement anybody had ever heard the Prime Minister deliver in the House of Commons:

"In view of the decision of the Italian Government to annex the whole of Ethiopia and the consequent menace to our posi-tion in Africa and the Near East, His Majesty's Government have made it clear in unmistakable terms that under no circumstances will interference by Italy with the existing regimes in Egypt and Palestine be permitted, and any attempt to do so will be considered as an unfriendly act ... to be repelled by all the means at their command.

"In view of the changed conditions caused by developments in the air, the question of strengthening Britain's defense of the Suez Canal against air attack will be considered in consultation with Egypt. . . . His Majesty's Government are responsible for the administration and government of Palestine in accordance with the terms of the [League] mandate, and intend to discharge their responsibility to the full. . . . No further statement appears necessary."

Up to their feet jumped the Members of Parliament, cheering Premier Baldwin to the echo. Before the press gallery had recovered from its amazement at this, the first official mention of Italy in the House as a possible British adversary, pompous, paunchy Sir Thomas Inskip, newly appointed Minister for Defense Coordination, was up, waving a sheaf of papers in one hand, reporting on what he has so far accomplished to get Britain ready for war. Naval Building. The Admiralty has asked for $51,500,000 beyond its original estimate of $349,650,000 to build two battleships, five cruisers, nine destroyers, one aircraft carrier, four submarines and an assortment of minor craft. Munitions. Nine hundred private plants have been inspected, 400 of them most carefully. Within a few days most of these will receive contracts for making machine tools and gauges, necessary before any large-scale munitions program can be undertaken. Air Force. Within the past twelve months 1,500 new pilots have been enlisted. "But what we are interested in at the present moment," said Sir Thomas, "is the provision of aircraft for the use of this personnel." All British automobile plants have been canvassed, the Government promising to subsidize any that will build new airplane factories or extend their present plants to make room for airplane production. Food. A subcommittee on food conservation has been set up under Sir William Beveridge, who had the same sort of job during the War. "We are," declared the Defense Coordinator, "rapidly solving the all-important question of food in war time so as to have abundant stores in case of another emergency like the submarine blockade of 1917." Ports. The Port of London Authority, busiest in the world, announced a $60,000,000 program of harbor improvements on the lower Thames.

The effect of this summary of progress by Sir Thomas Inskip was rather spoiled by rude Winston Churchill's loudly insisting that it was not enough.

"The troubles of Europe," he snapped, "will reach their climax during 1938 and 1939, and in the meantime our Government's three-year arms program is hopelessly in arrears. . . . The Baldwin Government is suffering from paralysis of phlegmatic composure. It has no grip, no driving force, no mental energy, no power of decision."

Swinging on Sir Thomas, Mr. Churchill cried:

"Have you thought of the possibility of a foreign invader's seizing important points from the air? I don't mean an invasion of airplanes which drop bombs, but whether it isn't possible to land from the air substantial forces, which in a country where few people are armed might seize important points?"

"Well, as, a -er-matter of fact," blushed bulbous Sir Thomas, "I haven't! But I shall take the matter up with the chiefs of staff at the earliest possible."

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