"Britain in 1914 did not need to fight to "Rule the Waves"

Then tell me Jim, in 1914 what navy in the world could seriously challenge the might and power of the Royal Navy.

"what was happening in Europe was undermining the status-quo of Imperial authority - you've already accepted it was a war to defend the British Empire - make up your mind "

Everything you say there is perfectly true - however it is only your inability to understand the situation and grasp the detail that trip you up and cause you to ask me to make up my mind when in fact there is no point of conflict in the two statements that I have made - Go away and think about it - In 1914 Great Britain did not need to fight the "Rule the Waves" because no-one could realistically challenge her at sea, Great Britain's Empire on the other hand was under a very real threat if Germany, in defeating Belgium and France, took over their colonies as Germany fully intended to do as well as annexing Belgium which would have put German Battleships within fours hours steaming time from positions from which they could have bombarded London.

"The empire they were defending in 1914 was actually costing Great Britain money"

Read: Naill Ferguson's Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World. London: Allen Lane. ISBN 0-7139-9615-3.

"'The 19th-century empire undeniably pioneered free trade, free capital movements and, with the abolition of slavery, free labour. It invested immense sums in developing a global network of modern communications. It spread and enforced the rule of law over vast areas. Though it fought many small wars, the empire maintained a global peace unmatched before or since."

While private enterprises and companies were making money out of the Empire Christmas - The British Government, which was not in business, found itself spending more and more on the Empire - Now if you cannot see the difference between the two then there is indeed no hope for you.

"the fact that the powers that be though selling arms to despotic regimes was a fitting way of remembering the dead of W.W.1"

Please define - the powers that be

What arms were sold at this dinner?

Which despotic regimes were present at the dinner?

What was the "official" connection between this dinner and any commemoration for the dead of the First World War?