3 JANUARY 1914, Page 9

Here is the mark of the zealous convert. Here is

the prime shibboleth of the Little-Navyites. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is using the worst of the sophistries indulged in by the pacifists. We are not to make our own defence sure lest we should lead a tempted brother into extravagance and sin! Mr. Lloyd George ends this part of the interview in the style of Sir Henry Campell-Bannerman, a style the adoption of which led to Germany nearly catching no up in the naval race, and so nearly brought on • national disaster. The truth, of course, is that what always has provoked, and always will provoke. Germany to further efforts is not large expenditure on our part but small expenditure. What makes a runner who is behind redouble hie efforts is not a spurt by the man in front, but the relaxation of the efforts of the man with the lead. "He is giving out; he is ' 000ked ' ; one more rush and I shall be past him," is the thought which gets the last ounce out of the runner. "He is yards and yards ahead and it is no good to break my heart trying to overtake him," is the thought which daunts the man in the second place.