The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-25
THE COST OF WAR.

TIE RIVALRY OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
The great nations OF Europe are just now play
ing what Punch well characterizes as "The Game
Beggar my Neighbour" European politics have
become so complicated during the last two years,
by the inscrutable conduct of the Emperor Napol-
con, by the success Of the Italian patriots and by
the front which the people OF Hungary and Poland
have shown their rulers, that the principal nations
OF Europe are, at immense expense, putting their
armies and navies on a war footing. 1t is remark
able that, with the exception perhaps of the En-
peror OF France, no one Of the rulers of Europe
wants war. 1t would be difficult to point out one.
even, whose interests do not move him more strono
ly for peace. The estimates which we have gath
cred below do not, therefore, srepresent the cost of
actual war, but only the price at which great and
powerful nations think themselves compelled to buy
peace.
The English Commons have lust made an annual
appropriation of over sixty-one millions of dollars
to support the navy during the year 1861; and an
other sum of twenty-four million dollars for the
pay and allowance of the land forces"-in all
eighty-tve millions.
Last year, having Chinese war on her hands.
EnglandS navy was manned with So, 900 seamen of
all grades. This year the Government needs only
rs ,0O0 but it seems that there is reserve of about
$4,000 men ready for service, if necessary. The
British navy has for several years suffered like our
own, for the lack of seamen; and the Government
bias found it necessary to ship and train bows in
order to increase the supply of experienced men in
years 10 come. InSTe are j,6UU boys IN the navy;
which number, if kept up, is said to afford supply
OF about :, 900 seamen per annum. The wages of
British seamen cost the nation fifteen and half
million dollars per annum, and their food not less
than six and half millions.
The British navy contains So screw line-of-
battle ships and IA padde-wheels, making, in all,
CT steamships Of the line. We have not at this
time single steamship of the lire in the United
States navy, though the Niagara is. perhaps, an
easy match for any two British liners
The French have IS line-n-battln ships afloatand
building, making 81. The English navy has of
frigates 81 screws and . paddles aGoat besides II
building, making total of 50 frigates The French
have is paddle irigates and q screws, making
total of 80 afoat, and they have more building,
making grand total of AZ. The French have 2G6
ships of all classes, and 81 building making a total
of 327. The English navy has total of sos vessels
atioat and 81 building and converting, giving to-
tai of 562. Russia has line-0fbatle and II f. 10
ates afOat; Spain, ine-ofbattle and 70 frigates;
Italy, line-ot-batte and Is frixates-all steamers
France has iron-cased ships iron-cased fripates
floating batteries and iron-cased gunboats afloat
or building. Spain, Russia and Italy are building
iron-cased trigates. England has the Warrior and
two other large iron-cased ships afoat and build
ing, and half million of dollars is needed next year
to furnish these and complete another There
were built and added to the British navy last year
ships of the line, frigates and other vessels to the
amount of 80 26S tons and 100 horse power while
$50 horse powers will be added during the present