Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-20

LoNnoN. December 19.-In the House
of Commons to-day Lord George Ham
ilton moved the immediate copsidera-
tion Of motion to make considerable
addition to the strength OF the British
navy and to ask the government to
state its intentions in regard to the
navy.
Lord Hamilton blamed the govern
ment for the present situation OF af-
fairs. but he urged them to utilize the
time which was still available. The
speaker insisted that his motion was
not inspired by party objects, and dwelt
eoquently upon the necessity of losing
sight of party politics in an effort to In
crease the strength OF the British feet.
Mr.. Gladstone, who was greeted with
cheers, moved an amendment to the
effect that II was the primary duty OF
the responsible ministers OF the crown
TO make adequate provisions for the
defence OF the empire. and that the
House relies upon them TO submit fitting
proposals in due time.
MR.. GLADSTONE URGED
that the motion could not be regarded
as non n-partisan motion as it was prac-
tically a vote Of ceusnre against the
government and especially against him
self. The object Of Lord George Ham
ilton's motion, Mr.. Gladstone insisted,
was to overture the government.
The Premier then proceeded to dwell
upon what he classed as being an i'm
portant point in England's favor, say
ing that first-class warship could be
completed in England in three years;
but, he added, in France it took four
and a half years to complete first
class battle ship. The admiralty.
Mr., Gladstone assured the House,
was now enquiring into the means Of
shortening even these three years, and
II would be reducing the proceedings OF
the House to the level Of a farce for
the House TO call upon the government
90 make a statement upon such vast
question for the navy in the three days
remaining before Christmas.
1T WOULD BE DANGEROUS
and irregular. Mr.. Gladstone also said,
to call the House to form judgment RS
gardinR the naval question upon
change of debate, or speech OF what
the statements were contested.
Mr.. Gladstone then called upon the
House to reject Lord George Hamilton's
motion, quoting precedents for so doing.
Mr.. Gladstone said that the motion be-
fore the House was at complete varl
ance with Lord George Ham
ilton's own course, when, as
first Lord of the Admiralty, he was
asked 10 make premature statement
OF plans which had been presented to
the government The present govern
ment intended to adhere to the old sys-
tenn Of annual plans aud premature
statements should only be made In
moment OF emergency and danger,
which did not exist at the present
time. England, the Premier insisted,
had nineteen frst-class warships and
compared with them, France and Rus
sia, combined had only fourteen, and In
battle ships Of all classes Great Britain
was far ahead OF the two countries
mentioned.
Therefore the Premier assured the
House 1t would be absurd to describe
the present time as being time OF
danger. II England built no more bat
tie ships until 1897, Russia and France
would have eight more 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 and
French battle ships then aaoat. Con-
tinuing
WITH GREAT vIGoB, ENCOURAGED
by the loud cheers Of the Liberals, Mr..
Gladstone said that in spite OF these
figures, which were sufficient, in his
opinion, to satisfy anybody that the
country was not In danger from any
hostile movement upon the part Of the
combined fleets Of Russia and FraBce,
the government intended TO still fur
ther increase the strength OF the British
navy and the Admiralty was now con.
sidering the plaus TO bring about this
increase IL the number and efficiency OF
the war ships OF Great Britain.
w ntU MI. di0uekUAG Au0iAf hOOA uit
seat after this brilliant turning OF the
Conservative eX-Flrst Lord OF the Ad-
miralty. It was the general opinion that
the g. 0. ~ had won another remarka-
BILE parliamentary victory and
that he had clearly demon
strated TO the discontinue Of
his enemies that "Old Man Gladstone
was full of fight as the youngest Of
them and that be was always prepared
to upset the combinations Of the oppo-
sition by brilliant array Of facts and
figures.
The Right Hon. A. J. BalfOur, the
Conservative leader, followed. he de-
clared that Mr.. Gladstone had not
showed that be understood the danger
Of the situation. lChsers from the Con-
servatives and jeers from the Liberals.
In future naval combats. said Mr..
Balfour, Great Britain would have 10
fight opponents who stake nothing on
the result Of the engagements. while
Great Britain would stake her all
Cheers.
Finally Lord HamIlton's motion was
rejected by a vote of $40 TO 2O4, a result
which was greeted By loud cheering
from the Liberals.