New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-20
CAN ENGLANDRULE THE SEAe
HER NAVAL POWER DEBATED.
THE GOVERNMENTS POLICY APPROVED BY
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS


THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
MIR. GLADSTONE DECLARES THAT GREAT BRIT.
AIN NEED NOT FEAR. LOSING HER So.
PREMACY-THE MINISrKYS ATTITUDE
SEVERELY CRITICISED BY MISSES.
BALFOUR AND CHAMBERLAIN
LORD GEORGE HAMILTON
MOTION DEFEATED By
VOTE OF 2aO
London Dec 19-In the House of Commons
to-day Lord George Hamilton, formerly First
Lord Of the Admiralty, made the motion rela-
tive to Great Brtains navy. notice of which
was given a few days ago. The motion declared
that II was necessary that large additions should
Immediately be made to the navy, and that the
House demanded to be informed what the inten-
lions of the Government We're in regard 10
strengthening it. Speaking on his motion. Lord
George said that nobody could a term of
office in the Admiralty without being impressed
with the disparity between the naval expendi-
lures Of the different nations. The British
Nation compared with the others. remained al
most stationary. Great Britains former dis
tnction as a Power. able to hold her own
against a European coalition, had gone. If the
British feet was 20 be kept in a condition to
meet the combined fleets of any two nations.
larger expenditures coupled with prompter con-
struction than had hitherto appeared in the
MANS of the Government must be undertaken.
He did not desire that the House should con-
slider his motion party move invoking censure
of the Government. 1t was made with the view
TO afford chance for the Government to eX-
plain its policy to the House. and also In the
hope of ecitng a statement calculated to allay
the anxiety of the country.
MR. GLADSTONE ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED.
When Mr. Gladstone arose 20 respond to
Lord George he was loudly cheered. The Prime
Minister when quiet was restored. said that 1t
must have astonished the House to hear the
member for Middlesex Uord George Hamitom
describe his motion as one of a private mem
Der free from party character and standing en-
tirely apart from vote of want or commence
IN the Ministry A motion implying that the
House should take out Of the hands or the Ex-
ecutive Of the Government one OF its primary
duties certainly amounted to censure III was
now too late for the right honorable member to
shrink from accepting the full responsibility ior
his motion concerning the condition OF the
navy IT was not upon a chance debate nor
in response 70 assertions which, even If they
were true did not embrace the whole SUBJECT
that the House could pronounce reliable Judg-
ment 1t would be premature, dangerous even
for the Government 10 make full statement as
TO It's views concerning the navy, but TO con-
tend that the situation Of Great Britain to-day
was one of emergency and danger was 10 pro-
nounce an opinion which was irrational and alb
surd Great Britain remained notably ad-
vanced in all her preparations for future con-
1ingencies. In the work of constructing Nesseis
required, the country was so far before o'her
countries that it could justly be said that the
strength of the British navy excelled that OF
any two other countries.
GREAT BRITAIN's STRENGTH IN BNTLEsillPS'
To compare the relative number OF BRUSH
warships with the French and RUSSIAN Neaseis
was q faracous test The British ships were
larger and Of better material than 'hose Una
could he set against them Great Britain at this
moment had in battle-ships $4,000 tons OF hghI-
ing material against France and Russias com
b,ned $4,000 tons Great Britain had nineteen
ha,tle-ships and France and Russia only fourteen.
Of warships Of all classes Great Britain was
strange than any other three Powers. CneersJ
Eight Of the ships figuring in French and Rus
sian navies were old wooden armored sn'pS OF
the style discarded as inefficient Tor the b'l"SI'
navy In every class Of warships the Brl'ish ~
larger and more powerful vesseis man ~" ~
French or Russians. ceres OF near li'"'
7, Was therefore absurd 10 describe the present as
a moment of danger calling for preha'uIe
settlement Great Britain's superiority IN lIe
mower of constructing warships was sun more
striking than her superiority In eXisthB strehst'
Az 10 the future supposing no new shlps WeIe
laid down? He believed that In 1891 aithoasn
France and Russia might nave cismt NH ae re
ships they would SUN De III INV
CARDS tonnage
THE NAVY To BE INCREASED
n, cour.e Mr. Gladstone added. there would be
additions to the British navy. Inc Hu''''' AK,
was engaged in considering the plans "hic"
ought to be adopted to strengthen '"e nav
but there no reason Tor p reurn|u' 10 "n
closing what was contemplate o,,d learn
portune time arrived the House WouiC :. 49,
Of these plans In the mean tine .he n' ,hn
ment should not be asked to depart ron .ns
usual methods by which the Vas, ~ for
of the country were yearly proVioeu Io oaoa tho
Mr. Cladstone. in conclusion, expressed ,ne
hope that the House would not lenu a,s Io, Ma
nsnge 70 ~ o"r nory forces on the question OF I'M
perial defence. 1t was bad exa ,,ni'
trusted the House would not iol l1 con, nc was
As the Prime Minister look HIS '''
again heartily cheered.
MIR EALrOUH's REPLY.
Arthur 7 paIfour the Conservative lcader III
,ha uousa complained that Mr.. Gladstone hau
afforded no information as TO Wha' wac
naval policy Of the Government l"e oppO.'
tim said Mr. Bafour. had carried paei,sn the
tho extreme in abstaining from press'iie in
.ne IN make a statement. Yet all III
formation had been refused. Now they t Weir
tainted with setting their party ap apo, eoonitaI
country and with trying to make pa, , 20 tional
out of a subject that ought TO be kept nau oant
The only envenomed party feeling bs yf' been the
nm.rLs ~ Mr. Gladstone I'm trying TO .ul,,
a question OF national danger into one Oh s''"''
personal luminosity. c'Hear!' hear hrea,,ne
Mr. Gladstone had protested against p ,i,ans Of
rranaaonts in being asked 10 state the piaiis 20, y.
The Government. In 1884. when there wa had
less danger than now. the GoverhIned"t ., he
given an account of Its naval policy anu Va ~. ~
mans i'm regard to rst-class battleshps. anu ,I,,
resolution Of the House had been ntracts for
followed up by the giving OUT OF COLI nat yas a
The construction OF new SHIPS lhat "" ,,s