The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-05

London. Jan. lin a speech at Hanley
to-day, ex-Premier Balfour accused the
government of neglecting the navy. and
he added some remarkable utterances in
connection with that subject respecting
their relations with Germany.
He said that when the Unionists retired
from Office they left the next government
overwhelming strength in battle ships and
ample naval stores. The government had
since been living on these. and the posi-
ton was now altogether different
During the earlier part of the Liberal
administration the government was oc-
cupied in amiable and philanthropic but
perfectly futile negotiations respecting the
limitation OF ornaments. While it was
talking, other nations, more alert, had
added to their ornaments at an I'M
precedented rate and increased their
power and speed TO turn out ships OF the
greatest fighting strength. Thus Great
Britain's comparative strength had enor-
mously diminished.
Facts Were withheld.
He did not blame the government for
Germany building more rapidly than
Great Britain, but he blamed it for with
holding from the House of Commons
and from the country the knowledge Il
undoubtedly possesses that this vital al
teration had taken place. The govern
ment had taken no steps TO counterfeit
the German advantage. and it was only
accidentally that the country had gained
knowledge of it.
Great Britain was now in a position in
this matter in which II had not been
within living memory, and her naval
supremacy in her own seas would be
threatened in the near future. Unless the
navy were supreme the British empire
would exist only on sufferance.
Mr. Balfour declared that he was a
great admirer of Germany. The world,
he said. owed her a great debt for her
scientific research and marvellous organi-
cation The British had much to learn
from her in many directions. There was
one direction in which he wished par
ticuIarly they would learn. and that was
70 face facts. He disavowed pesslmism
regarding the navy's future, II the coun-
try would recognize fully its obligations
and necessities. but if it would not face
the facts 1t could Tot recognize them.
Continuing. he said:
Go and consult the statesmen and d.
plOmatists or the lesser powers and you
will find among them absolute unanimlty
of opinion that a struggle sooner or later
between this country and Germany is in
evitable I do not agree with them, but
I that is their opinion They have come
10 the conclusion. 1 believe utterly wrong
". that we are not alive TO our RESPONSE
billties. that nothing can stir US TO a
recognition Of our position. and that.
therefore, we are predestned 10 succumb
in a great contest to the country that
does face facts, which is alive to its re-
sponsibllty. and which talks little, but
does much"
Makes HIS Blood Boil.
This deprecatory view of Great Brit
aims virility Mr.. Balfour admitted. had
gone so far that he had known Germans,
not connected with the government. but
men Of position and character. who we're
| engaged in great affairs. who had the
audactity to say. DO you suppose we
should ever allow Great Britain 10 adopt
a tariff?' Such things made his blood
boil
He believed these prophets were mis-
taken. No continental country had ever