Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-25

AMERICAN CRUISERS.
Lopdon Special to the New York Herald. Feb. %
The London edition of the New York Herald
to-day contains an article from an English
naval expert - fellows:
1.-The subject Of national defense in about 10
be dealt with within parliament, and the British
nation win learn soon the scope Of the new pro-
gram and cost, about which there has been 90
much speculation. John Bull has not got .
surplus to draw upon like his cousin on the
other side Of the Atlantic, or the revenues Of
suppressed monasteries to annex for the pur-
pose, like the Mikado of Japan Whatever
Great Britain does in this way 10 forced upon
her, and, therefore, . side light, will be found
below some brief account of what other ms
tions are doing, or purpose TO do, TO increase
their naval strength. Naturally one turns TO
France first - by far the most important Of
continental naval powers. possessing maritime
strength second only in number to that of this
country, and said to be superior in organization,
readiness FOR war, and preparation for coast de-
Tense. France has always paid more attention
TO the speed and steaming capacities Of her
ships, and therein lies her chief advantage to-
DAY. When Admiral Aube was minister of ma
rine the ship-building policy was mainly di-
rected to supply fast cruisers for destroying
commerce or narrowing an enemy's coast towns.
ADMIRAL KRASTz' PoLIcI.
But Admiral Krsntz has favored . return to
the construction of armor-clads and belted
cruisers, and eleven armored vessels are now
In course of construction, five Of which will be
completed this year and the others in 1890 and
1881. Two steel-clad cruisers, who steam over
twenty knots, are also to be completed within
the same period. Eighteen cruisers of not less
than one thousand tons displacement are ON
the stocks and the program for 1888 81 includes
several torpedo cruisers. Along with the rapid
completion Of cruisers ordered by Aube, an ex-
penditure has been authorized for the protec-
ton of the harbors of Cherbourg and Brest.
and these works have already been begun. In
many ways the administration of Admiral
hrantz has been noteworthy and characterized
by marked ability and energy.
NAvIEs OF ITALY AND RUSSIA.
Next to that Of France for the present, but
some way after it, stands the maritime strength
OF Italy, rivaled by that of Russia The huge
monsters that Italy has launched possess aues-
lonable value as fighting machines, but they
carry very powerful guns and have great speed.
The program Of 'SSr91 contemplates gradual
increase in every type or class OF ship from the
armored batttle-ships through to protected
cruisers, Of which class this nation owns some
splendid specimens, down to speedy torpedo
craft and armed sea-going tugs
Russia stands third in Importance, 90 far as
relates to its naval strength, among the Eu-
pean powers. The program Of shipbuilding for
this nation dates from 1881, and saying that it
Is likely to be completed in shorter space of
time than originally contemplated, there seems
TO have been little or no departure from its
main lines. In addition to the then existing
Meet II was proposed to build nineteen first
class battle-ships four second-class and ten first
class cruisers. The armor-clads are now being
turned out at the rate of three or four a wear
ana the cruisers nearly as fast Two battle
ships are on the stocks and four more cruisers
have been ordered in the Baltic. 1t was only
pattle-ship was not launched last year.
GERMANS NAVAL STRENGTH.
The succession to the throne of Emperor
william III, whose interest in his nsyyis second
only to that of his brother Prince Henry of
Prussia, was contemporary with the reorganiza-
ton OF the German admiralty. Baron Won Der
Goitz, the new Chief being entrusted with the
thorough rehabilitation of the naval service.
Not only had Germany practically ceased to
add to her iron-clads since 1880, but she had
never replaced those ships which, from age or
accident, had become inefficient. Looking to
what Russia was doing in the Baltic and the
growing needs Of colonial development, it
would have been strange if Germany had still
remained idle. The program of 1889 to
1895, which has now been authorized. includes
the construction of ten coast service battle
protected and four partly-protected cruisers.
besides torpedo craft. Although the cost of
this program is to be charged to several
budgets, the vessels are all to be ready for use
with the completion of the Baltic and North
Sea canal, by 1891.
UNCLE SANS NAVY
The United States will possess a navy which
is bound to be factor in any consideration of
the question of naval supremacy. The Texas
battle-ship, building at Norfolk navy-yard. and
the marine battle-ship to be constructed at
New York navy-yard are looked upon by En-
glish experts as frst-rate vessels of the class
they represent. But it is in regard to cruisers
or commerce destroyers," as Secretary Whit
ney calls them in his annual report, that the
States look at present like running the English
record very close. The Charleston. Newark,
Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the San Francisco
will be protected cruisers which any power
would be proud to own. While the United
States, SO Tar as their opponent was concerned,
was absolutely supreme at sea, their commerce
was utterly ruined by the depredations of half
a-dozen fast vessels, acting on well-thought-out
and ably-executed plans. II was the action of
these vessels telling on insurance rates that did
the damage, and no one in England to-day APP
pears to believe that her cruisers are sufficient
to prevent similar raids on her commerce if she
went to war. While such belief is prevalent it
is not even needed that there should be q set
tight War would cause a panic, and prohibit
I've rates OF insurance would rule. 1t is for
this reason and because il is necessary to re-
store confidence that the government is going
TO increase the navy, but even now they are
hardly heart-whole in their endeavors to put
matters on square foundation.
To Walk to Washington on Bet.