Looking to the future British statesmen could not doubt that Germany,
triumphant over France and Belgium, with power of dictation over
Russia, with mastery of Turkey, and with Vienna in subjection to
Berlin, would organize its resources and consolidate its energies for
an attack upon Britain and her Dominions. Indeed all that has been
disclosed shows clearly that the destruction of Great Britain and
partial or complete suzerainty over the self-governing British nations
was the ultimate object of German policy. With a land army unequalled
in Europe the Kaiser set himself to rival the British navy and the
British merchant marine. A great navy was not required to ensure the
political security or protect the commerce of Germany. Only by naval
power could the British Empire exist. When we think of the achievements
of the Germanic alliance against a world in arms we realize what a
mortal hazard the British Empire would have faced in single combat
against enemies enriched by the spoils of victory over France, Russia
and Belgium, and with all the smaller nations of Europe reduced to
submissive neutrality. It was vital, therefore, that Britain should
enter the struggle not only by virtue of honorable alliances but to
guard her very existence. Moreover, if Britain had hesitated at the
outset it is certain that her position would quickly have become
intolerable. In a few weeks or months she would have had to send her
fleet to sea and organize her manhood for defence. Delay, resulting
from foolish confidence or timid counsels, would have been dangerous
and possibly fatal to all the vital interests which depend upon a
solvent and powerful British Commonwealth.
A thousand years scarce serve to form a state;
An hour may lay it in the dust.