14 FEBRUARY 1914, Page 15

THE CANT OF " SECURITY."

[To vas EDITOR or Tin .SITICTATOR."] Sin, —In light of all that is being said for and against the reduction of armaments, it is interesting to note, in the report of Lord Courtney's speech at the Queen's Hall on February 3rd, in seconding the motion in favour of such reduction, the following sentence "He (lord Courtney) believed that in running risk they were obtaining security." Surely no better words than these, used by Lord Courtney himself in supporting the motion, could be found to emphasize the fallacy which underlies the paradoxical contentions of those who demand a reduction of our naval and military expenditure.—I am, Sir, 8m., H. J. EWART. University College, Gower Street, W.C.