The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-24

her empire IL at an end. and her very ex-
istence as an independent nation must
ever be at the mercy Of her victorious
foes" So far rs Russia is concerned, the
writer holds that II the naval problem is
not first decided for England. the military
problem will certainly be resolved In Rus
sia's favor: for to the British empire the
command Of the sea means security and its
loss humiliation. The Earl Of PEMBROKE
observes in the London Tines that just
now there Ia q serious disproportion be-
tween the English and the French naval
forces in the Mediterranean, TO the disad-
vantage OF the former. which might even
he driven out or shut up in a corner. slr
THOMAS SYMoNDs and Sir GEORGE ELLIOT
are also calling for more ships
Tho London Army and Nary Gdsette, re-
viewing such expressions of opinion, heads
It's own appeal on the subject with the
words Of HENRY MAYDMAN, in 1880; and 1t
is interesting TO note how they ring after
two centuries, and how Enghshmen In the
days OF CHARLES ii. were occupied with
the self-same problem that engages their
descendants to-day:
mi. high time to lay our hands heartily to advance
and promote the growth and strength Of the navy.
same thing For Whatsoever nation hath the Sow
sagnety Of the Seas shall be coured by all the world
for II in his power. to make any OF the nations In
Europe to live unhappy. unensie and In poVsryi 70
force them keep the product and manufactures OF
their countries to themselves: to have no com
with any foreign nations but at dear and M.
certain rates and for their colonies abroad. TO lose
them"
Taking up the fleets Of England. France.
and Russia, and holding that the command
OF the sea can be gained only by first-class
ships OF the line OF battle. the Gazette pro-
ceeds to set such ships In array. 1t takes
up only those which have been built within
ten years and are OF not less than 5000
tons displacement. It's list shows OF such
ships, built and building. % for Great Brit
ain. 20 for France. and for Russia. One OBJ
lection to this estimate Is that 1t includes
French coast-defence ships: but the rea-
son given is that they are powerful fight
ing ships. 1t is. however. to DO noted
that the British ships enumerated are the
heavier. on the average. their total dsplace-
ments being 1859. 800. against 2s0.74O for
France and Russia combined.
Undoubtedly comparisons OF this sort are
what is relied upon for effect In Parlia-
ment. The completion OF the programme
Of naval construction which was to have
made England secure may therefore be
followed by beginning another. MIR. GLAD
STONES placid declaration that the Govern
ment felt perfectly satisfied rs to the ade-
quacy and capacity OF the British navy to
perform all the purposes for which 1t exists"
instead OF inspiring confidence. seems to
have excited CONSERVATION. at least among
some Of his countrymen. What should
have been peasurable prospect for tax
payers provokes fury among them. while
the Premier's utterance recalls to them the
hapless satisfaction with which the French
regarded their army prior to the war OF
1870. 1t seems likely that the Government
will lay down at least some new war ships
In response to public sentiment.