20 DECEMBER 1913, Page 2

The deputation, we are told, afterwards held a meeting at.

the Whitehall Rooms and consulted whether they should send a communication to Mr. Asquith, but "in the end nothing definite was decided upon." The deputation seems to have concluded in what Sir Thomas Browne calls a moist relent- ment." They determined that " they will advocate the vies" that the Government ought to obtain some understanding with foreign Powers with a view to reducing the expenditure on armaments." Here the deputation was clearly up against, the difficulty encountered by the Watch when Dogberry told them to order any man " to stand." " How if a' will not stand ?" said the Watch. No one has yet been able to. suggest what is to be done when the Powers, as they always do. refuse to come to the understanding about reducing expenditure on armaments demanded by our pacifists. To- follow Dogberry's recipe, to "presently call the rest of the Watch together and thank God you are rid of a knave,'" would clearly not serve the purpose here and might be regarded as bad international manners.