Lord Rosebery followed in a very pessimistic, nay, alarmist, speech,
in which he declared a propos of Lord Salisbury's remarks as to failure of past schemes of invasion: "Unhappy
is the nation that relies for its security on its past history." Where, he went on, are the experts ? Why did not the Commander-in-Chief give an assurance as to our safety "A few reassuring words founded on expert knowledge with regard to our preparedness for the eventualities which may occur this year or the next would be a profound consolation." This strange appeal for oratorical soothing - syrup ad- ministered by an expert called forth from Lord Lansdowne the best speech he has made during the war. We were not, he declared, in the denuded condition supposed by Lord Wemyss and Lord Rosebery. We had at this moment fifty thousand more men under arms than we had barrack accommodation for. To ask the Commander-in-Chief to come down to the House and defend Government measures would be to make him a partisan. Lord Kimberley, who wound up the debate, very strongly opposed the notion of having the experts giving their views in the House. His whole speech was moderate and sensible, and in strong con. treat to Lord Rosebery's excitable harangue.
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