The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-20
SPEECH by GLADSTONE.
The Premier Bravcly Repels an At
tack on the British Navy.

parliamentary victory to-day, after fight
ing at the head of his followers in a most
gallant name What was practically a
vote Of censure was moved by Lord George
Hamilton, in connection with the alleged
weakness of the British navy as compared
with the combined navies of Russia and
France. and. after an exciting debate, the
motion was rejected and Mr.. Gladstone's
amendment to the effect that the House
had confidence that the government would
pay adequate attention to the navy, was
adopted without a division. causing much
enthusiasm in the Liberal ranks. Mr..
GladstOne's followers hope and believe that
this victory in the House of Commons will
be followed by another victory at Ac-
crington this week, where the Liberal can
didate for that seat has raised the banner
OF a rebuke To the Lords for the rejection
of the home-ruIe bill, and If the Liberals
secure a greatly increased majority it is
thought that Mr.. Gladstone may determine
TO dissolve Parliament.
There was a large attendance of men,
bers OF Parliament. and the galleries were
thronged with people anxious to hear the
l-ong-expected naval debate which has been
brought about by the newspaper scare
which started after the visit Of the En-
glish newspaper correspondents to Toulon
at the time Of the visit OF the Russian
squadron to that port Prior to the open
ing of the debate. Mr.. Gladstone obtained
a suspension Of the midnight rule, in or
der that the great naval debate should be
finished tonight. 1t begun when Lord
George Hamilton moved immediate consid-
GRAFTON OF a motion to make a considerable
addition TO the strength OF the British navy
and asked the government TO state its
Intentions in raDarI m the navy Lord
George Hamilton then blamed the govern
ment for the present situation Of affairs;
but, continuing, he urged them to utilize
the time which was still available. The
speaker insisted that his motion was not
inspired by party objections, and dwelled
~eloquently on the necessity of losing sight
OF party politics in an effort to increase the
strength Of the British fleet.
Mr.. Gladstone, who was greeted with
cheers, moved an amendment TO the enect
that it was the primary duty or the re-
spOnsible Ministers of the crown to make
adequate provisions for the defense OF the
empire, and that the House relies upon them
TO submit fitting proposals III due time.
Continuing. Mr. Gladstone urged that the
motion could not be regarded as a nom
partisan motion, as II was practically a
vote of censure against the government,
and especially against himself. The object
of Lord George Hamilton's motion, Mr..
Gladstone insisted, was to overturn the
government
COMPARED WITH OTHER NAVIES.
The Premier then preceded to dwell upon
what he classed as being an important point
IN England's favor. saying that a first-class
war ship could be completed in England in
three years time; but, he added. in France
It took four and a half years to complete
q first-class battle ship. The admiralty, Mr..
Gladstone assured the House, was now In
quiring into the means of shortening even
&bo-o tb~oo N and IL urouId ba rodupfnO
the proceedings OF the House to the level
OF a farce for the House to call upon the
government TO make a statement upon such
a vast question for the navy in the three
DAYS remaining before Christmas. II would
be dangerous and irregular, Mr.. Gladstone
also said. TO call the House 10 form judg-
ment regarding the naval question upon a
change of debate or a speech or Whlch all
the statements were contested.
Mr.. Gladstone said that the motion be-
fore the House was at complete variance
with Lord George Hamilton's own course,
when. as First Lord of the Admiralty, be
WAS asked TO make a premature statement
of the plans which had been presented to
the government. The present government
Intended TO adhere TO the old system or
annual plans, and premature statements
should only be made in a moment of emer-
gencv and DANGER. which did not exist at
the present time. England, the Premier in
sisted. had nineteen frst-Cass war ships.
France and Russia combined had only four
teen. and in battle ships of all classes
Great Britain was far ahead of the two
countries mentioned. Continuing, amid the
cheers of his supporters. Mr.. Gladstone
stated that eight of the Russian and
French war ships were of the wooden
type. which England had discarded as
inefficient. Great Britain, the Liberal lead
er continued. had 527. 600 tons of fighting
ships, while France and Russia combined
had only $4,000 tons of similar vessels. In
addition. he added, in every class the Brit
ish war ships were larger and more pow
erful than those OF France and Russia
Therefore. the Premier assured the House,
II would be absurd TO describe the present
time as being a time of danger If Eng
land built no more Dattie shlps uhti lSSs
battle ships than Great Britain, but the
tonnage OF the British battle ships in 1897
would still be greater than the combined
tonnage OF the Russian AMI French battle
ships then afioat.
NAVY TO BE INCREASED.
Continuing with great vigor. and encour-
aged by the loud cheers OF the Liberals.
Mr.. Gladstone said that in spite of these
figures. which were sufficient. in his opin-
lon. TO satisfy anybody that the country
was not in danger from any hostile move
ment upon the part of the combined fleets
of Russia and France. the government in
tended to still further increase the strength
of the British navy, ard the Admiralty was
now considering the plans 10 bring about
this increase in the number and efficiency
of the war ships OF Great Britain. In con-
clusion the veteran Premier expressed the
hope that the House would not give q bad
the member for Ealing LOrd George Ham,
Nton). which. for the first time. would mar
shall the forces OF the party on the great
question OF imperial defense. prolonged
cheering)
after this brilliant turning down OF the
Conservative ex-First Lord Of the Admiral
~ IL was the general opinion that the
"Grand Old Man" had won another remark
able parliamentary victory and that he had
clearly demonstrated to the discOmfOrture
OF his enemies that "Old Man Gladstone"
was as full OF fight as the youngest of them
ard that he was always prepared to upset
the combinations OF the opposition by a
brilliant array of facts and figures.
The Right Hon. A J. Balfour, the Con-
seryatiVe leader in the House OF Commons,
who was loudly cheered from the opposition
benches when ne arose to reply TO Mr.:
Glsdstone's most clever handling OF Lord
said that Mr.. GladStOneS taunt that the
opposition was trying 10 make party capt.
tai out OF the subject OF the needs OF the
navy and the danger TO be unprecedented
from a combination OF the fleets OF Russia
and France were untrue. Continuing, Mr..
Balfour declared that Mr.. Gladstone had
not showed that he understood the danger
or the situation. Cheers from the COnserva-
tives and jeers from the Liberals) In fut-
ure naval cOmbats, said MIR. Balfour, Great
Britain would have TO fight opponents who
ments. while Great Britain would stake her
all. (Cheers.)
Finally Lord George Hamilton's motion
was rejected by a vote Of 240 TO 24. a result
which was followed by loud cheering from
the Liberals. Mr.. Gladstone's amendment
20 the effect that the House OF Commons
relies upon the ministers OF the crown to