How to Disarm
Peace and Disarmament. By Leon Blum. (Cape. 7s. 6d.) M. Lion BLUM is the most conspicuous figure in French Socialism, and, as Mr. Robert Dell says in an introduction to this translation of M. Blum's latest book, he is likely to be Prime Minister of France " if and when " the Socialist Party comes into power. It is inevitable, of course, that M. Blum should write specifically as a Socialist, and the appeal of his book to Mere bourgeois readers is a little restricted by his conviction that disarmament can only be a permanent reality when the Second -International has-come into 'its own, and "workers' governments are in power in every country.
But apart from that necessary obeisance to the gods be worships M. Blum writes with moderation and force. lie rejects the old theory of " disarmament through security," sacred though it is to "every French- mind, and tubstitutei the Socialist formula of " arbitration and security through disarmament." The ease for disarmament as an end hi itself bas rarely been better made. An international army, says M. Blum, assuming that to be desirable, is only possible when national forces have been abolished; it could not co-exlst with them. The nations will only put full faith in arbitration when national armies no longer stand marshalled in the back- ground, available if an arbitral judgement is adverse ; and the peace claims of the Treaty of Versailles can only be maintained if other nations accept voluntarily the measure of disarmament
imposed on Germany. .
M. Blum, adopting a suggestion that other public men have made both in his country and in this, would internationalize all air services (he is probably thinking mainly of Europe) in the hands of the League of Nations. Aviation is essentially international and an international body might more properly control it than a score of national corporations. Whether he means military aeroplanes to be in the League's hands, too, is not clear. Dale& they are to be abolished altogether, that would be the logical conclusion. Internationalization of the commercial machines would prevent their conversion to bombers. The time for achieving this may not be yet, but to get it discussed is altogether beneficial. This book should be read.
Previous page
