Lord Midleton, who always brings weight and good sense into
a debate, endorsed Lord Cromer's appeal, which, he rightly said, went home to the House more than any made in the course of the discussion. It was admitted by all classes that some provision must be made against invasion. On the other band, every soldier admitted that the present provision was inefficient through lack of officers and lack of training. "That was the point on which the Opposition invited the Government to give them an opportunity of seeing whether the two sides, working together, with the best military opinion to guide them, could not come to some point where they could take a seep forward and save themselves from the impeach- ment that during seven years of profound peace they were unable to make proper preparation for an emergency which abroad as well as at home was known to be not very far from them." These are grave words, though they will be scouted by the party politician as ridiculoua. Like the foolish virgins, wears trusting to the belief that somehow or other we shall be able to get oil for our lamps when the need arises. But, unfor- tunately, we shall be worse off than were the foolish virgins, for they at least could "go to them that sell." In the day of national peril, where can we find those who will sell nit the courage, the devotion, and the skill of men trained to defend their country in arms, and trained also to recognize that there are things dearer than life, and that men who are called upon to make the supreme sacrifice must make it joyfully P On Thursday the Bill was rejected by 53 votes to 34.
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