St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-28
THE NayrEs OF EUROPE.

Attention is being called anew to the
condition of the navieS of Europe. The
recent additions TO our fleet of war YES
sels-cruisers and battle-ships-set the
admiraltleS of the old world thinking,
and recent disasters at sea which befell
a British and French vessel of the best
class have called renewed attention to
the faulty construction OF the ships re-
Gently added to the navies of those
countries.
Ever since the alliance between
France and Russia, which was ratified
and emphasized by the enthusiastic re-
ception of the Russian feet at Toulon,
Germany, England and Italy have been
II the anxious seat. This alliance has
for its purpose the mastery of the Med
iterranean and the Baltic seas. Russia
practically controls the latter now, her
ships being far superior i'll classified
ton, speed and armament to those of
her great rival, Germany. On the
Mediterranean the Muscovites have no
port - are barred entirely from it
except through the Dardanelles. which
is under an international protectorate.
Great Britain has long been supreme on
that great inland ocean. She controls
the entrance from the fortress of Glib
raltar; she owns the island of Malta and
exercises a protectorate over the island
of Cyprus, while her influence is pre-
dominant on the Sea of AZof. But Italy
and France have both been endeavoring
to rival her in their naval establish
ments. The ironclads recently COM
Dleted by the Italian government are
recognized the world over as the most
powerful vessels afloat, several of them
being battle ships and rams combined.
They have also demonstrated their sea-
worthiness. and in action would be for
midable if not unconquerable adversa-
rieS. 1t is very manifest that the nation
that is to hereafter rule the Mediter-
ranean must have Italy for an ally, for
she has become an important factor in
the affairs of Europe. Her local position
also gives her great advantage from a
strategic point of view, which cannot be
overlooked.
The contemplated expenditure of
1920, 100000 by the British government
on its navy shows how great Importance
is attached to that branch of the service.
And it is t1attering to the United States
that the innovations introduced by US
are attracting so much attention and
ellciting so much praise. 1t seems
probable that Great Britain will pay us
| the compliment of close imitation. The
best naval experts are of the opinion
that iron ships are too cumbrous and
unwieldy for modern warfare. They
are too slow to satisfy the requirements
Of the times. Celebrity of maneuvering
is a consideration greatly to be desired,
| and this is possessed by the American
vessels III degree closely approaching
| perfection. They are well adapted for
| both pursuit and retreat, and the his
tory Of warfare has repeatedly shown
that the latter is often as necessary as
the former. A wise commander will
always retreat before a greatly superior
force, and the ability to do so without
loss is not to be desplsed.
The agitation now in progress in Eu-
rope on this subject Will doubtless lead
to revolution in naval architecture.
For home defense the Italian pattern of
men-of-war seems to commend itself.
bat for active offensive warfare the
American style possesses vast adj
vantage. France has already met the
menace of Great Britain, and Russia
and Italy are trying TO Offset Germany.
The billing and cooling that took place a
short time ago between the emperor of
Germany and the king of Italy does not
seem to have resulted in any agree
ment, offensive or defensive, for the
I natural allies of Italy are France and