In this war Democracy is fighting for its existence 181 Against highly organised materialism 183 The opening of the twentieth century 186 Spirit of constitutional change 188 Disappearance of great figures from the scene 189 Change in character of the House of Commons 192 Dearth of leadership 194 Consequent demoralisation of parties 195 And widespread anxiety 196 Pre-eminence of Mr. Asquith 197 His Parliamentary supremacy 198 His maxim--_wait-and-see_ 199 Character of his oratory 199 Increasing prominence of lawyers in politics 200 Their influence on Parliamentary institutions and national policy 201 Mr. Asquith's limitations 203 CHAPTER II THREE GOVERNING IDEAS Situation at the death of Queen Victoria 207 Comfort and security are not synonymous 208 Two problems absorbed public attention 209 Social and Constitutional Reform 209 A third problem, security, was overlooked 210 Social Reform intrinsically the most important 211 The urgent need of peace 212 Earnestness of public opinion 212 How it was baulked by circumstances 213 Limitations of popular judgment 214 Want of leadership 216 Strangulation of sincerity by party system 218 The artificial opposition of three great ideas 221 CHAPTER III POLICY AND ARMAMENTS