If the Mudanis, Conference should break down and the Government
should be faced by the question whether the Straits are to be defended by force, everything will depend, or ought to depend, upon the question whether our Allies will help. The freedom of the Straits is a matter that concerns all equally. Oar own interest in it is not a bit greater than that of anybody else. If anything it is less. 'Why on earth should Great Britain bell the cat ? These are not the times for quixotic adventures. Of course, if contrary to all expectation, the British troops on the Asiatic side should be suddenly attacked, the question "Will France come in ? " will be as poignant for us as the corresponding question "Will England come in ? " was for the French in 1914. But so far as it is possible for us to guide events, we ought to abide absolutely by the rule that we shall do nothing at all without the co- operation and consent of our Allies. That was the sense of a Manifesto published by the Independent Liberals in the papers of Tuesday, and it was thoroughly justified.
