The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-20
GREAT BRITAINS NAVY.
lord HAMILTON MAKES SOMU
srARrLrxo Admissions.
Gladstone RidicsIes His Lordship's rssss
and says highlands Naval stresgth 10
Greater Than Any Three Powers

LbNDON, Dec. l3.-la the hoVse OF
Commons to-day Lord Geoge Hamilton,
formerly First Lord OF the Admiralty. made
the motion relative TO Great Britain's
navy, notice OF which was given Few
days ago. The motion declared that IL
was Necessary that large additions should
be Immediately made TO the navy. and
the House therefore demanded TO be in-
formed what the intentions 90 the governs
ment were In reward to strengthening IL.
Speaking on his motion Lord George
Hamilton said that nobody could serve .
| term OF office In Admiralty without being
| impressed with the disparity between ths
| naval expenditures OF the different ma
tons. The British nation. compared with
the others, remained almost stationary;
| Great Britain's former distinction ss q
| sea power, equal 10 hold her own against
/ a European combination. has gone. IL
| the British fleet was To he Kept In con-
| dition 90 meet the combined fleets OF any
| two nations larger expenditures. coupled
/ with prompter construction than had
| heretofore appeared In the plan OF the
| government. must be undertaken. He did
/ not desire that the House should consider
| his motion 1 party move. invoking CEN
with a view to afford the government a
chance to explain its policy to the House.
| and also in the hope OF eliciting a state
ment calculated to allay the anxiety or
| the country.
nv Gladstone's Reply.
| When Mr.. Gladstone arose 20 respond
10 Lord George. he was loudly cheered.
| The Prime Minister when quiet was
| restored said that II must have aston
| ished the House 10 hear the Right Honor
! able member for Midiiesex (fIamilton)
describe his motion IA one OF private
member. free from party character and
standing entirely apart from vote OF
/ want OF confidence in the ministry. A
motion, implying that the House saouid
take out of the hands OF the executive Of
| the government one Of its primary du-
/ ties certainly amounted to censure. IL
was now too late for the right honora-
/ bic member TO shrink from accepting the
| fun responsibility OF his motion concern
ing the condition OF the navy. II was
| not upon "A chance debate nor In response
70 assertions. which. even " they were
true. did not embrace the whole subject.
| that the House could pronounce a re-
! liable Judgment IL would be premature,
| dangerous even. for the government to
| make a full statement az 20 its Views
/ concerning the navy. but 70 'co1iend that
/ the situation Of Great Britain to-day was
one Of emergency and danger was to
| pronounce an opinion which was absurd.
| Great Britain remained notably advanced
| I'm an her preparations for future contin-
I gencies In the work Of constructing ves-
/ sells required, the country was so far be-
! fore other countries that Il could be Just
| ly said that the strength OF the BRUSH
| navy excelled that OF any two other
| countries. To compare the relative NUM-
| Der of British war ships with the French
| and Russian vessels WAS "A fallacious
| test The British ships were larger and
| better material than those that couid
| be set against them. Great Britain at
the moment had I'm battle shiDs @i,e0
| tons Of fighting material, against Frances
and Russians combined 353eW tons. Great
| Britain has nineteen battleshi9s, end
| France and Russia only fourteen. ot
| war ships OF all classes Great Britoin ~
stronger than any 'hree powers. "heersJ
Eight Of the ships figuring In the French
and Russian nayies were old wooden
| armored ships Of the style discarded as
| inefficient FOR the British navy. In every
| class Of waT-ships. the British had larger
/ and more powerful vessels than the
| French and Russian. Cries OF Hear,
| hear."D IL was therefore absurd 20 Try
! 70 describe tho pTfaent az mofrenl. -
danger calling for premature settle
/ ment Great Britain's superiority III me
| power ~ constructing war-ships vas sim
more striking than her superiority 10 ex-
| listing strength As 20 the future. sup
posing no new ships were laid down, he
| believed that In 1897. although France
and Russia might have eight more battle
| ships. they would still be IN the minority
as ards tonnage. or course, MI
| Gladstone added there VIII be- additions
| 10 the British navy. The admiralty ls
| engaged in considering as 10 the plans
| that ought TO be adopted 20 strengthen
| the navy. but this was no reason for pre-
| naturely disclosing what was consem-
! plated
( When the oppOrtune une arrived the
| House would learn OF these plans. in the
I meantime the government should not De
| asked 10 depart from the usual methods
/ by which the past expenditures OF the
] country were provided for.
His amsndms n PREVAILS.
Mr.. Gladstone. IN conclusion, expressed
/ the hope that the House would not iead
| It's countenance 10 The motion. which ne
| declared marshaled the party forces ON
| the question Of imperial defence. u was
| bad example that he trusted the House
would not follow. AS the prime minister
took his seat ne was again heartily
| cheered.
| The debate was continued by 4. }. Bal
| four. Conservative leader. Sir Charles
| Dixie. Vice-Admiral Field Wonserv.j, SIR
| l.. Kay-Shuttleworth Secretary 70 the Ad-
| mlraIty, Joseph Chamberlain. Sir William
/ Harcourt, Chancellor OF the Exchequer.
| and George j. Goshen. who was Chan
/ cellor OF the Exchequer In the Sails
| bury Cabinet The latter spoke amid coa-
! slant cries OF divide" Divide
! Mr.. Gladstone's amendment 20 the efrect
/ that the House refuse 10 couHtenanee
| Lord George HamiitOn's motion. was car