It was evident from Sir Edward Grey's speech that it
is the firm intention of the Government to build the four extra Dreadnoughts.' The hypothetical condition is merely a matter of form. Of the Government's wisdom in adopting this method of carrying out their policy we say nothing here. We merely note the fact. Mr. Asquith and Mr. Balfour also spoke, the former declaring that the important point was not to lay down more ships at once, but to increase our naval productive capacity. The Government majority in the division was 218. The gravity of Sir Edward Grey's speech needs no emphasis. We will only add one caution. Although Sir Edward Grey in his position as Foreign Secretary no doubt felt bound to refer to the German declarations, the nation would be mad if it drew up its pro-. gramme in accordance with promises which even the authors of them admit are not binding.
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