THE LESSONS OF THE WAR IN TRIPOLI.
[To THE EDITOR OF TEE SPECTATOR.”] SIR,—Alroc.st the fiercest denunciation of Italy's predatory policy has come from the mouths of the Labour and Socialist leaders. Mr. Snowden, Mr. Barnes, and others have described it as an act of spoliation and brutality. Has it occurred to these leaders of modern democracy to ask themselves why this act has taken place ? Have they considered why Italy started this conflagration and exposed the world to the risk of the spreading flame? Is it not simply because the forces of Turkey are unequal to the task of defending her interests? Her army is certainly excellent, but a Power with possessions beyond the seas cannot be said to be adequately armed unless her army possesses the power of movement from her shores. The lesson is a simple one—that a Power which is unable to protect herself or her possessions is a danger to peace. Are the Socialists, then, sincere in their anti-militarist propaganda and their advocacy of peace; or are they merely animated by thoughtless sentimentality and class suspicion? The question arises because they oppose those who wish to supply Britain with a real defensive force drawn from the strength of the whole nation—a force which would free our regular troops for service beyond the seas. If they are sincere they have now before them a concrete example of the result of weakness. War has arisen because Turkey was unable to defend her possessions. If this one instance be not enough let them consider what would have been the result if Germany had found France unprepared to uphold her rights. Would it have been peace P—I am, Sir, /ec., H.
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