He then went on to defend the policy of increasing
the -strength of our Navy and the efficiency of our Army, on the simple ground that though it costs something immediately, it saves largely in the end,—saves not only money, but anxiety ; secures not only strength, but power; promotes not only safety, but peace. He attributed the success of Lord Salisbury's foreign policy very largely to the steady and gradual increase of the efficiency of our naval and military establishments, and challenged Mr. Henry Fowler, who repu- diates all share in the responsibility for these establishments, to state frankly to the nation that he does not desire to see the Navy furnished with good guns and good boilers ; that he does not care to see our coaling-stations properly fortified ; that he does not desire to see the Volun- teers an efficient force. If he would but make that clear, said Mr. Goschen, the working classes would soon show that they had no wish to give him their support. Not only our safety, but our commerce, not only our power, but our tranquillity, not only our formidableness, but our influence in keeping the peace in Europe, depend on the careful and fore- casting preparations which the present Government have made for the efficiency of the Army and Navy. Indeed, adequate and -efficient armaments are needful not only to secure our trade, and to keep our working classes well employed, but to increase the power of the peace party in Europe, and to prevent those expensive and reiterated panics by which Mr. Gladstone's last Government had lost so many millions, and still more influence and respect. A more eloquent and admirable speech Bras not been delivered in the present year.
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