BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 247, 11 July 1908, Page 10

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

The London "Standard" of May 28 states: In a romarkablo article', a distinguished French newspaper, which sometimes is entrusted with ofhcial inspiration, though not, wo think, upon tho present, occasion, proceeds upon a fundamental. error. "Great Britain," says the "Temps," "has always desired a Continental" ally." Historically tho statement" is not correot. As to the present it is absolutely misleading. ,For tho defence of our own shores-and the protection of our Empire we are stronger while we stand alone. 'Wo may fairly reckon upon giving a good account of any assailant at sea, and, while' that is so, wo aro more impregnable while we havo only ourselves to look after, and can mako peace without thought for tho destinies of an ally. To put the matter bluntly, wo can keep the invader out of London, or it would bo our own shameful fault if wo should fail. But it would bo supremely difficult for us to get an invader out of Paris.. What the "Temps" says about the insufficiency of our land forces, if treated as an estimate of Mr. Haldano's military scheme, is painfully apposite. Nor do. we eco how tho criticism can bo rebutted. There is but 0110 way of nullifying the strictures—taking monsures that they, shall 110 longer bo true. Wo must provide ourselves with an Expeditionary Force which really could bo sent out of tho country and a Territorial Guard that could effectively garrison the United Kingdom nnd act as a reserve to tho Army on activo sorvice. On the other linnd, tho "Tomps," guided perhaps by somo military expert, underrates tho values of an ally with a supremo navy. Tho advisor has overlooked tho lessons alike of tho South African and tlio Russo-Japanese wars. Wo woro enabled to pour in successive reinforcements at .a distance of 7000 miles bccauso we hold unchallenged command of the sea. routes. Similarly the might of Russia was crushed in tho first instance by tho Jnpanoso admirals, nor would tho Mikado's gonorals have ventured on their land advance if their return bad not been secured by Togo's unconquered battleships.