As to the possibility of coming to some kind of
arrange- ment with Germany by which the rivalry for the com- mand of the sea can be stopped, Mr. Asquith was no less clear and no less emphatic. The German Government had. been approached on the subject and expressed them-selves unable to do anything. The truth is, the people who wish to stop our expenditure on the Navy are the most bellicose men in the country. War may come even if we prepare, but if we cease to prepare war becomes not a possibility, or even -a. probability, but an absolute certainty. All human experience shows that a treasure left unguarded is a treasure that dis- appears. Inadequate guarding is worse even than no guarding at all. And for this reason. It precipitates attack. So a nation's rival will say :—" It must be now or never. We must deal with our antagonist while he is foolish enough to put himself at our mercy. If we do not take occasion by the hand, we shall find him waking up and preparing to protect himself, and our chance will then be gone."
Previous page
