We do not propose to deal with Lord Tweedmouth's criticism
of what he calls the " mosquito " campaign in the Press against him. Lord Tweedmouth states that he knows what "good copy" means, insinuating that articles calling attention to the state of the Navy are likely to sell news- papers. We sincerely hope he may be right, for nothing could be better for the Navy than that the public should be deeply interested by anything that is written in regard to it. Meantime, let us say that we are convinced that the Standard and the Morning Post, and other newspapers which have of late drawn attention to the weakness of our naval force in borne waters, have been actuated by nothing but a sense of public duty. For ourselves, we claim that the existing state of affairs amply justifies the demand which we made last autumn for a careful and impartial inquiry into naval policy and administration as a whole. If the Cabinet are wise, they will insist upon such an inquiry. They need not fear that its result will be to lead to any demand among sensible persons for an increased expenditure upon the Navy. It would, we believe, show that by wiser administration and a wiser disposi- tion of naval power we can obtain complete security without adding to our financial burdens.
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