within danger. Such centres as Southampton and Portsmouth. Birmingham and the Midlands, and last but not least. London, are, however, clearly threatened.
As representing more closely the conditions of the moment, a point (B) has been taken as representing Belgian territory at present in enemy hands. From this point arcs have been struck at radii 100, 200 and 300 miles, the latter representing the probable present-day limit of raiding distance. The degree of the existing danger to our Midland and South-East Counties can be fairly judged from these indications, taken in conjunction with the discussion in the text.
The suggested ship canal from Clydebank to the Forth River is indicated in the map by the heavy line C. Apart from its strategic import, such a canal could not fail to be of great value as a commercial asset, though from that point of view alone it could not be justified to a greater extent than a mere fraction of its probable cost. Whether from a National point of view the need will justify its being carried out is a question which the future alone can determine; its strategic value would be considerable in any case, but if at any time the French littoral were to fall into enemy hands the importance of a canal such as proposed would be greatly increased.
At the moment of going to Press it has come to the author's notice that the proposal for a Ship Canal from the Firth of Forth to the West of Scotland has already been seriously considered; both the route herein suggested and an alternative route through Loch Lomond and Loch Long having received attention. For full particulars vide Royal Commission on Canals and Waterways; Fourth and Final Report; England. Wales and Scotland; page 183. The computed cost given in the said report, viz., twenty millions sterling, is decidedly optimistic.
