But such a time will be postponed all the longer unless the nations, like France, Italy, England and the United States, which are at present sincerely desirous of peace, keep as well armed as their more belligerent neighbors.

When the tug comes, the issue will depend upon the effective force which such nations, when loyally combined, can exert.

It would be fatal, consequently, for the pacific Powers to seek to establish peace by a partial diminution of their military efficiency.

Such an action would merely encourage the belligerent Powers to push their aggressive plans to the limit.

The former must, on the contrary, keep as well armed as their resources and policy demand.