6 AUGUST 1921, Page 3

Mr. Amery, speaking for the Government, in effect acknow- ledged

this when he dwelt upon the fact that Japan was building eight post-Jutland capital vessels and contemplating eight more. In view of this fact the Government demand for four new capital ships, though it imposes &terrible burden, must, we think, he granted. At the same time, we must never forget that the Empire, in the last resort, rests upon the solvency of the United Kingdom. We must not be like the man who sold his dog in order to buy the poor beast " a more comfortable kennel." If

we must have four more 'Hoods,' all the more need for cutting down drastically in other directions.