In the House of Commons on Wednesday a Motion by
Mr. H. Vivian pressing for the reduction of armaments gave rise to an interesting discussion. Lieutenant Bellaire maintained that naval supremacy was the pivot on which all our economy hung, and that it was false thrift to curtail it by comparing ourselves with foreign countries. The percentage spent by Germany on her Navy in proportion to her shipping was far greater than ours. Mr. Balfour argued that our naval policy was not aggressive. We watched the doings of foreign Powers, and did not anticipate, but only followed them. Let them diminish their fleet-building, and we should follow suit. Sir Edward Grey, who, on behalf of the Government, accepted Mr. Vivian's Motion, thought that our naval expenditure Could be considerably reduced without jeopardising national safety. A pacific declaration by the House of Commons might have a good effect on other nations. The Powers were all waiting for each other, and some day some one must take the first step. While not committing the Government to any definite action at the Hague Conference, he wished to pre- serve their freedom to act as the Motion proposed if the occasion seemed promising.
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