DEFENDING THE EMPIRE_
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
SIR,—The present is the time to take stock and plan for the future. We have to ask ourselves whether we are really strong enough to keep our present position in the world, and if not, how to preserve what we can. If we become involved in a war with Germany, Japan, once she has settled her affairs in China, is not going to let slip the opportunity to expand at our expense in the East. It is doubtful whether we could hold Hong-Kong if there were war with Japan alone. Australia is of no use to a race which is soon to decline rapidly in numbers. Why should we weaken ourselves in trying to hold outposts of the Empire when the nerve centre is threatened ? We need all our aeroplanes and ships in Europe, and we should not waste our national effort in trying to defend what we can never hope to defend effectively. Were we to concentrate to defend India, Africa and England, our strategic position would he immensely strengthened.
Again, in the last War we put 6,800 guns into action at one time on the Western; Front alone. Why do we not man 6,800 anti-aircraft guns in England ? And why do we not make a balloon barrage for every town in England and
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