We are anxious not to suggest to the public that
they should unfairly jog the arm of the Government in a matter so delicate. We must, however, remind the Government that before they decide on their policy they must expect to be asked certain questions. What is insistence on this or that point going to cost expressed in men and ships ? When they have got their estimate —a real estimate and not an effort in military optimism —then they must inquire : " Where is the money, and where are the men to come from ? " Finally, they must consider how the prospective gain compares with the certain loss. We do not suggest that the burdened tax- payers should insist on more than this when our rulers are determining their Eastern policy. But we feel sure that Mr. Bonar Law would be the first man in the world to admit that the taxpayers have a clear right to ask as much as this. It is no claim to a veto, but only a demand for wise deliberation.
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