Britain's postwar bargain between welfare and sea power

Postwar Britain was governed by a coalition trying to fund domestic reconstruction while limiting military expenditure and taxation. Lloyd George is described as believing that mutual reductions in defence spending could help prevent another war. The objection raised is that states feeling exposed may react aggressively, so reductions alone do not settle questions of security. Balfour, First Lord Arthur Lee, and Ambassador Auckland Geddes brought experience in government, naval administration, and diplomacy. Lee had served as military attaché in Washington, befriended Theodore Roosevelt, and become an honorary Rough Rider; whether he actually fought with them remains uncertain in the account. Balfour supported a transition toward a Commonwealth sharing responsibilities Britain had carried alone. Geddes supplied a close connection to Lloyd George within a delegation whose other leading members had independent political standing.