New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-31
FRANCES NAVAL WEAKNESS.
CHARGES OF GROSS MISMANAGEMENT
MADE BY NJ LOCKROY.
HE DECLARES THAT ENORMOUS SUNS HAVE BEEN
WASTED IN CONSTRUCTION. AND THAT THE
NAVY COULD NOT REPEL INVASION
THE DEBATE ADJOURNED 1T
THE pprNIrp'S PrOI.EST

THE DEBATE ADJOIfNkD 90
THE PREMIER's REQUEST.
Paris. Jan. 30-The Chamber Of Deputies was
crowded to-day with persons anxious 10 near
the Interpolation Of the Government by NJ LOCK-
roy in regard to the condition Of the Navy. NJ
Lockroy is a member Of the commission recently
appointed by the Chamber TO inquire INTO naval
affairs The galleries were filled. and all the
benches in the body Of the House were occu-
pied by members. Among those present was
Count Hoyos- Sprinzenstein. the Austrian Amoas-
sador to France.
NJ Lockroy asked what had been done Win
the miliards cffrances appropriatedfor naval pur-
noses since 1871. France he said, had spent g.
milliard 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 TO six times what II 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 everything else 10
those OF the other Powers. The waste and dis
order in every department Of the naval admin
istration he declared. were fragrant. NJ LOCK-
roy quoted from expert and official reports 10
show that the coast defences had been neglected
and sacrificed to the rivalry between the naval
and military departments. The forts at Roche-
fort Iorent Rrest and Cherbourg. he said,
were in bad condition. The tOrpedo-boats at
Toulon were notably worthless He asserted
that il war were suddenly declared against
France her coast defences were not prepared 70
prevent an enemy from landing.
Continuing NJ. Lockroy said that the island or
Corsica was absolutely unprotected Italy. If she
SO desired was able to land $4,000 men on the
island in about an hours tme; Inc siipS
placed at the disposal of Frances brave seamen
(cheers) were utterly unworthy OF these herolc
mon The superOrity of the French sailors was
poWcrless against the inferiOrfty OF their Nessels
If France should be defeated In her next war
the responsibility would rest upon those VINO had
failed TO provide the ornaments which modern
science rendered necessary. Though the Gov
eminent had already nominated an extra pa!li-
amcntary commission TO investigate haNai mat
ters II was imperative that a parliamentary IN
tuirv should be made. over one-quarter or the
French fleet was composed of old ships. ana their
artillery was inferior. Anarchy Ieigns IN the
naval administration Deficits had been dlscoV-
cred at the Toulon Arsenal but the guilty per-
sons had not been punished. The common law
halted respectfully outside the arsenal door.
HaVre and Dieppe were at the mercy or any
feet that desired to lombard them, while Rouen
and Boulogne We're practically defenceless Eng
land NJ. Lockroy declared. need have no rear
of Cherbourg. She could land force IN the
Cotentin district
NJ Lockroy quoted from Lord Brassey. for
merly Lord of the British Admiralty. and Ad-
miral Bourgeois. both of whom concurred in the
opinion that the Cotentn district was not sum-
GENTLY defended. The French ironclads. he said
were defective The Magenta recently built,
had failed TO meet her contract requirements.
The Neptune, Hoche and Marceau were also
faulty Fatal accidents were constantly occur
ring on board the ships owing 10 their padiy
constructed engines.
NJ Jean Abel. who represents the list District
OF Toulon, admitted that certain reforms in the
Toulon Arsenal were advisable. He said that the
Ministry of Marine, not the local officials. was re-
sponsible for the condition Of affairs at the
Touon Arsenal. He. personally was convinced
loft IN
adeQuat e.
NJ Guieysse member OF the LIST Division CT
Lorient. caused sensation in the Chamber ny
reading a telegram showing that the stock OF
-four at the Lorent Arsenal had been exhausted,
and that this fact had prevented the sailing
of transport.
NJ Casimir-Perier, the Prime Minister. said that
the facts related concerned the Government I'M
meaiately preceding the one now In power. He
asked the Chamber TO adjourn the debate until
THURSDAY to enable the Government TO examine
the charges. Adjournment was agreed TO.