Mr. Blatchford, having been also specially singled out for condemnation
by Mr. Churchill on the score of his " wild language," has replied very effectively in the Daily News. "My critics," he observes, "say that those who try to create a scare do not reckon with the deep-rooted common-sense of the two peoples. I say the deep-rooted common-sense of the two peoples hes nothing to do with it. If it had to be put to the vote of the German people whether they should make war upon England, nearly all of them, I dare say, would vote against it. It is with a war party in Germany that we have to reckon. All we ask is that our defences should be made secure. If there is no danger, what do we want with a defensive policy at all P We are not asking for any incendiary preparations. All we ask is that we should be ready, in order to prevent war." After declaring that the political purpose that underlay his action was his desire for the establishment of a citizen army, Mr. Blatchford concluded :—" I am strongly in favour of taking every measure to conciliate Germany, but I don't believe any means is so efficacious for keeping the peace as the presence of an Army and Navy capable of resist- ing attack." If this is "wild language," all we can say is that we hope Mr. Blatchford's insanity may prove infectious.
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