The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-31
FRANCES WAR VESSELS.
LoCKRoF SCORES THE NAVY AND TEE
NAVAE ADMINISTRATIONS.


The ships Inferior In Number. Speed. ana
uoss-Msny Forts In Bed Cosditon ana
the Coast Derences Wholly Inndcquat-.
PARIS Jan. 30.-The Chamber OF Deputies
was crowded to-day with people anxious to
hear the Interpolation Of the Government by
NJ Lockroy in regard to the condition OF the
navy. He is member OF the Commission re-
Gently appointed to inquire into naval affairs.
NJ. Lockroy made a long speech. lie asked
what had been done with the miliards
OF francs appropriated for naval purposes
since 1871. France he said had spent mill
Hard OF francs more upon her navy than had
the nations composing the Triple Alliance
Austria had augmented her naval strength
two-thirds. while Germany had Increased her
naval strength six times what IL was in 1871
Tho naval strength Of France in that time had
been increased only ak per cent. and her ves-
sells were inferior in number. speed. and
everything else to those Of the other powers
The waste and disorder in every departm emit
OF the naval administration, he declared. was
Migrant
NJ. Lookroy quoted from the reports OF ex-
ports and from official reports to show that the
coast defences had been neglected and sacri-
feed to the rivalry between the naval and
military departments. The forts at Rochsiort
LOrient. Brost. and Cherbourg. he said were
in bad condition. The torpedo boats at Toulon
wore notably worthless. lie declared that In
the event OF war being suddenly declared
against France. her coast dCfences were not
prepared TO prevent an enemy from landing.
Continuing. u. Lockroy said that the island
OF Corsica was absolutely unprotscted ltaiy.
II she so desired. was able to land on the island
$1,000 mon In about an hours time The
ships placed at the disposal Of Frances brave
- -
these heroic men. The superiority OF the Fren CHI
sailors was powerlss5 against the inferiority
OF their vessels. II France should be defeated
Bile would be those who had failed to provide
the armamsnts which NJ odern science rendered
Necessary.
Though the Government had already nomi-
mated an extra Parliamentary Commission to
investigate naval matters. it was imperative
one-quarter Of the French fleet was composed
Of old ships, and their artillery was inferior
Deficits had been discovered at the Touion
arsenal but the guilty persons had not been
n ,,TI The commoin, law halted respect
Havre and Dioppe were at the mercy OF an
fleet that. desired to lombard them. while
less Ss' fnEaHd II. T Lock declared diced need
have no fear Of Chorbourg. She could land q
ii. Lockroy quoted from Lord Brasssy. for
merry Lord OF the British Admiralty, and
Admiral lionrgeois. ootn OF whom concurrss,d
cicntly defended.
The French ironclads. he said. were defec-
tive. The Magenta. recently built. had failed
to meet her contract requirements. The Nep-
tune. Hershe. and Marceau were also faulty.
Fatal accidents were constantly occurring on
board the shiDs, owing to their badly con-
structed engines.
NJ. Jean Abel who represents the First dis
trict Of foulon. admitted that certain reforms
In the Toulon arsenal were advisable.
ii. Abel said that tho ministry OF Marine. not
the local officials. was responsible for the con-
dtion OF affairs at tho Toulon arsenal. lie
personally was convinced that the Mediterra-
moan coast dsfsncss were Inadequate
NJ. Guisysee. member for the first division OF
Torrent caused q sensation By reading tsle-
gram showing that the stock OF flour at the
Torrent arsenal had been exhausted. and that
this fact had prevented the sailing OF trans
port vessel.
Premier Casimir- Perier said that the facts
related concerned the Government imme-
distely preceding the one now in power. lie
asked tho Chamber TO adjourn the debate
until Thursday to enable the Government to
examine tho chargeA The Chamber then
adjourned.