The Dominion. TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1919. MILITARISM IN EUROPE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1838, 26 August 1913, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1919. MILITARISM IN EUROPE.

Another International Peace Congress has just been held, but it cannot be said that the era of universal peaoe is much nearer than it was fifty years ago. The fact of the matter is that no nation dare take a single step in the way of disarming at tho present moment, and there are no indications that less troublous times are coming. Almost every nation in Europe is spending enormous' and ever-increasing sums of money in perfecting its means of attack ancl defence, and thero is a growing feeling of uneasiness in Britain on account of the fact that the Government thero is making no corresponding effort to strengthen the country's position from a military point of view. It is even contended by many experts that Britain is scarcely holding her own in the matter of shipbuilding, and no ono even pretends to say that tho Army is adequate for. any emergency _ that may arise. A cablegram published in yesterday's issue gives an extract from an article in the London Times in which it is stated that in view of

the growth of militarism, the least Britain can do is to add weight to the Triple Entente—Britain, France, arid Russia—by providing free naval and expeditionary forces for offensive war. To do this effectively it would be necessary first of all to add considerably to the Navy, and to create a national army.. The old policy of "splendid isolation" has had to be replaced by agreements with other Powers. First with

Japan, then .with France and Russia, and only a few days ago it was reported that an understanding with Spain was being . arranged. This ohangc of policy was rendered necessary owing to the continual growth of tho armaments of other nations, which made it quite impossible for any one country, however rich and powerful, to stand alone with safety. It is, however, now being realised that Britain is depending too much upon her allies,' and is not contributing her fair share to the combined military strength of the Entente, nor is she doing as much as shcshould for the safeguarding of British interests in (hoi Pacific aud other parts of the world. It is true that the Government is. now endeaVouring to "speed up" its naval programme, but it is desperately resisting the growing demand for the establishment of a system of compulsory military training. Tb.o ojtampkßof § A.ustmie, wid. . New Zealand &rq .bavins come affect

in breaking down old British prejudices against the creation of a, citizen army, but determined hostility is still being shown to the proposal by a section of the press and a certain school of politicians. Lord Roberts deserves the thanks of the whole Empire for the magnificent work he has done in educating the public, and clearing away misrepresentations and misunderstandings, and in demonstrating that a system of compulsory training is essential for tho safety of the nation. His warnings are being emphasised by the unceasing efforts of tho Continental Powers to strengthen their offensive and defensive preparations; and Britain cannot shut her eyes to these plain facts without running the serious risk of experiencing a rude awakening. ' A citizen army must come sooner or later, and public opinion is moving steadily towards the _ view that it is high timo the British Government took the first steps to establish it.