The debate on Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice's amendment regretting the want
of knowledge, foresight, and judgment in regard to the war was continued on Thursday. The most important speech was that of Mr. George Wyndham, who was the first Minister to find his feet. He spoke the exact truth in saying that the country cares nothing about the debate. Towards the end of his speech, Mr. Wyndham made an an- nouncement which should at once have killed the debate. He stated that the Government were only waiting till it was over to state what further military steps they mean to take. " Nothing stands between us and those further steps but this amendment." Then let us at once get to those further steps, for it will be by them, and not by the past, that the Govern- ment will be judged. If they are adequate the position of the Government is secure. If they are feeble, halting, and inadequate, and do not provide (1) for naval preparations, (ii) for the organisation of the auxiliary forces on a competent scale in view of home defence, (3) for the creation of a new army to be used abroad if necessary, then the Government must give place to men who can and will organise the vast resources of the country on a safe and strong basis.
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