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This conclusion in some ways went rather further than he thought the Committee meant to go, while in others it was less explicit than was desirable. He had, therefore, altered the draft conglusion to accord with his own summing up of the discussion, which he thought expressed the sense of the Committee, to read :---

2. In order to bring the greatest possible economic pressure upon Germany, it is essential that the Netherlands and Belgium should either be entirely friendly to this country, in which case we should limit their oversea trade, or that they should be definitely hostile, in which case we should extend the blockade to their ports."

11.-AERIAL NAVIGATION: AIRSHIPS.

Report of the TECHNICAL SUB-COMMITTEE. (C.I.D. Paper 159-B.)

(Adjourned discussion.)

MR. CHURCHILL, said that the Admiralty were not ready to continue the discussion. Sir Arthur Wilson's criticisms at the last meeting were receiving close attention, and he had also sent the Admiralty a further paper on the subject. The Second Sea Lord, Sir John Jellicoe, would have charge in the Admiralty of these matters. He had only just taken over his appointment, and had not been able yet adequately to consider them. He would therefore suggest a further adjournment of the discussion for two or three weeks. The matter was one of great importance and gave the Admiralty much anxiety

COLONEL SEELY said that this question had now been under discussion for a long time, and it was most desirable to get on with it. Even allowing that Sir Arthur Wilson's criticisms were well founded, they did not materially affect the Sub- Committee's main recommendation, which was that our immediate efforts should be directed towards evolving with the least possible delay a type of airship in no wise inferior to the best airships available in foreign countries for naval purposes.

LORD HALDANE observed that in paragraph 22 of their report, the Sub- Committee laid down the doctrine that "the surest method of attacking airships would be by a superior force of armed airships." That was a most important principle, and one on which he thought the Sub-Committee ought to have the considered opinion of the War Staff.

THE PRIME MINISTER said that he had been much impressed by Sir Arthur Wilson's criticism of the Report at the previous meeting. That was one naval view, but the Report was signed by two Naval Officers also. It was therefore essential that the Committee should have the considered views of the Admiralty before them.

(Conclusion.)

Discussion adjourned.

III-CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT.

INTERIM REPORT OF THE STANDING SUB-COMMITTEE. (C.I.D. Paper 165–B.)

COLONEL SEELY said that a Bill to amend "The Aerial Navigation Act, 1911," had been drafted by the Sub-Committee, and its terms were given in the Appendix to the Report. Though seemingly mild, it was in reality drastic, as it enacted that “if, on a person approaching such a prohibited place in an aircraft, a prescribed signal is given, that person shall obey the signal, and if he fails to do so, he shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be approaching that place for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, and may be dealt with accordingly under "The Official Secrets Act, 1911." That constituted the offence a felony, and as it was justifiable to use any means for preventing the commission of a felony, it authorised fire being opened

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