The naval position in the Mediterranean was discussed in the
House of Lords on Tuesday, when Lord Selborne con- demned the withdrawal of ships. He pointed out that a reduction of our strength coincided with a steady effort by Austria, Hungary, and Italy to increase theirs. Lord Crewe's reply was elusive. He left everything important to be said by Mr. Churchill when the Supplementary Estimates are intro= duced. The most effective speech was Lord Lansdowne's. He dwelt on the need for maintaining oar naval prestige. What, he asked, would be the impression produced in Japan P What would be the effect on our diplomacy in the Nee: East and the Balkans P This is the true line of arga,- ment, for just now circumstances make it easy for tut to hold the balance of power in the Mediterranean. We have a better hold upon the policy of Italy than for a long time past. Why should that hold be relaxed now of all times if it is not necessary ?
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