Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-31
FRENCH NAVY NEEDS,
The Government Interpellated by Nj.
LOcl<rOy.


LOclkrOy.
The French chamber of deputies was
crowded yesterday with persons anxious to
hear the Interpolation of the government
by NJ 'Lockroy in regard to the condition
of the navy. The galleries were filled and
the benches in the body of the house were
all occupied by members.
Nj. Lockroy made somewhat lengthy
speech. He asked what had been done with
the miiliards of francs appropriated for
naval purposes since 1871. France he said.
had spent a milliard of francs more upon
her navy than had the nations composing
the triple alliance. Austria had augmented
her naval strength two-thirds, while Ger
many had Increased her naval strength six
times what IL was in 1871. The naval
strength of France in that time had been
increased only per cent, and her vessels
were inferior in number. speed and every
thing else TO those of the other powers
The waste and disorder in every depart
ment OF the naval administration, he de-
CARED, was Migrant.
Nj. Lockroy quoted from the reports of
experts and from official reports to show
that the coast defenses had been neglected
ana sacrihced to the rivalry between the
naval and military departments. The forts
at Rochefort. fOrient. Brest and Cherbourg,
he said. were in bad condition. The torpedo
boats at Toulon were notably worthless
ObSorV2-
tons in regard to the matter. and declared
that in the event of war being suddenly
declared against France, her coast defenses
were not prepared to prevent an enemy
from landing.
Continuing NJ. Lockroy said that the Is
land OF Corsica was absolutely unprotected
Italy, II she so desired was able to land on
the Island 1000 men in about an hours
time The ships placed at the disposal of
Frances brave seamen (cheers) were utter
ly unworthy of these heroic men, The SUI
periority of the French sailors was power
less against the inferiority of their vessels
III France should be defeated in her next
war those who would be responsible would
be those who had failed to provide the
ornaments which modern science rendered
necessary.
mated an extra parliamentary commission
TO investigate naval matters, 1t was i'm
peratlVe that a parliamentary inquiry be
MADE over one-quarter of the Fren IN fleet
was composed of old ships. and their artil-
lery was inferior. Anarchy reigns in the
naval administration. Deficits had been
discovered at the Toulon arsenal, but the
guilty persons had not been punished. The
common law halted respectfully outside the
arsenal door.
Havre and Dieppe were at the mercy of
any neet that desired to lombard them,
While Rouen and Boulogne were practicaJlv
defenseless England, NJ Lockroy declar-
ed, need have no fear Of Cherbourg. She
could land force at Cotantin.
NJ. Lockroy quoted from Lord Brassey
formerly lord OF the British admiralty, and
Admiral Bourgeois. both of whom concurred
in the opinion that Cotantin was not suffi-
GENTLY defended.
The French ironclads. he said, were de-
fectiye. The Magenta, recently built had
tailed TO meet her contract requirements
The Neptune, Hershe and Marceau were
also faulty. Fatal accidents We're constant
ly occurring on board the ships, owing to
their badly constructed engines.
~ min ISL of
not the local officials. was responsible for
the condition of affairs at the Toulon ar
senal- He personally was convinced that
the Mediterranean coast defenses were in
adequate.
Premier Casimir-Perier said that the
facts related concerned the government
Immediately preceding the one now in
power He asked the chamber to ad iourn
the debate until Thursday, to enable the
government to examine the charges. Ad-
journment was agreed to.
NJ Lockroy Is member of the commits
sion recently appointed by the chamber to
inquire into naval affairs.