In the House of Commons on Wednesday a confused and
irritating debate took place on the question of the two-Power standard,—a debate which arose on Captain Craig's Motion that " this House would view with alarm any modification of the two-Power standard as defined by the Prime Minister on November 12th and 23rd, 1908,—viz., a preponderance of ten per cont. over the combined strengths in capital ships of the two next strongest Powers, whatever those Powers may be and wherever they may be situated." We do not think that any good purpose would be served by an analysis of the debate. We feel that the true consideration of national interests was lost in a desire to make party " scores," and to place the Prime Minister in a difficulty owing to the regrettable weakness which he has shown in dealing with those of his colleagues who are notoriously hostile to facing the consequences of fully maintaining a two-Power standard plus 10 per cent. But if we are bound to say that the Opposition showed no true appreciation of their public duty, we are also bound to say that Mr. Asquith gave them great temptation to act as they did by the character of his speech, and the way in which he met their charges with forensic and dialectical skill rather than with plain speaking and common-sense.
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