New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-09
WITT V1R EXPOSES

The extent and urgency of the war prepare
tions both in England and Russia show how
difficult it is for both the countries to get their
ARRANGEMENTS made. The disclosure at such
time of deceptive appearances in the Russian
War and Navy Departments can surprise no
one, for there exists no power in that Govern
M mt to stay the corruption which honeycOmbs
every Office But it is remarkable that in Eng
land the menace of war should extort from the
Admiralty admissions which are interpreted as
a confession that the right arm of the Nations
power is MT nearly so strong as it should be.
In England there is at least no suspicion OF
official corruption. Nobody believes that the
Admiralty has made away with the approprla-
tions, or that either officials or contractors have
enriched themselves at the expense OF the colln-
try 1t is conceded that if the naval authorities
are chargeable with defective intelligence they
have at least clean hands. And yet il half the
current statements are well founded. this de-
fective intelligence is liable to produce as dis
astrous results as downright corruption. For
series OF years the naval appropriations have
been on an average ID eTceel fifty millions OF
dollars and it is complained there, as 1t has
been complained here, that there is scarcely
ANYTHING To show for so heavy an expenditure.
Iii of course true that naval architecture is in
an unstable condition. The highest living
authority has only theory for n guide, and in
questions of war theory is very Enthusiastically.
Nobody knows how modern ironclad would
behave in battle, nor how it would stand the fire
of the heavy guns now forged. And therefore
il is not safe TO invest too much in any one kind
of vessels, and every Admiralty must keep
changing its models.
But allowing for this, the English people have
right tn expect that their Navy shall be more
than a match for any TWO or three combined
European Naves and this, it is now asserted,
they have not got very significant meeting
of merchants and capitalists was held in Lon
don recently to consider this question. IL was
addressed by Su l.. Reed AMI other high
authorities, and it adopted resolutions express
ing the opinion that the Navy was not strong
enough. and that the Government was to blame
for it, weakness. OF course it is not actually
weak, but relatively. 1t is stronger than any
other single Navy In the world but it rs not
stronger than such Il combination as would re-
sult from n junction of the French and Italian
Navies. for example or perhaps the French and
Russian Naves. Aud since such combinations
are, 10 say the least, pOSNtDlc III dhJ Pi"'""b'"
war the English people do right TO be uneasy
| under the circumstances. II appears that the
| Admiralty has been partly paralyzed by polltl-
| cal requirements. The Government in peaceful
times is constrained TO exhibit economy. The
estimates are therefore cut down as much as
possible; and when threat of war occurs the
preparations are inevitably backward, and then
it is too late to begin building new ships and
! founding heavier guns. Ii appears at first sight
| that an absolute Government is better fitted
| than "A constitutional and representative Gov
| eminent to attend to such matters. Not fearing
! Parliamentary opposition, it can perfect all its
plans; really only so much of them rs the
morality of its agents permits it to complete.
! In the case of Russia that is not very large
percentage. In the case of England, however,
political exgencies, red tape aud official slotn
produce almost rs bad effects as corruption.
There seems to be DO method by which the
efficiency of war preparations can be secured,
unless we except that peculiar union OF constr
tutionalsm and absoutism which in Germany
has produced "A most effective military machine,
without, so far "a il known any drawback In
the shape of corruption. But England would
not and could not submit to the sacrifice oil
freedom necessary for the attainment OF such
perfection, and in the long run she can better
afford to pay for tho waste inseparabe from
parliamentary government.
|
The Rochester Union renews the complaint against
..,I,,. .r,a.. oatl tha ran