The Morning Post of Wednesday publishes a message from its
Washington correspondent announcing that the German Government has refused to negotiate an Arbitration Treaty with the United States similar to those already concluded between the United States and other Powers. As Germany notoriously wishes to be on good terms with the United States, the refusal is remarkable. It can only mean that Germany objects to arbitration on principle, holding a nation's interests to be above the decisions of Courts. She is quite entitled to take this view, though we regret it. But the lesson for Britain is clearer than ever. Although we trust Anglo-German peace may never be disturbed, we must recognise that international machinery for settling disputes must not be reckoned on in any way, and that if ever we are forced into a serious dispute with Germany we shall have to look to naval strength as the one and only arbitrament.
