The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-03

proposed TO increase the navy by seao sea-
men, etc. and by 900 extra marines. For
guns and ammunition the admiralty pro-
posed a supplementary estimate OF eoo6e1
for the present year and for the ensuing
fiscal year the admiralty proposed an in
crease of es50.eo0 The admiralty also pro-
posed an increase of 90. 2aa,ooo for docks.
and explained that the proposed dock work
would Increase the amount of Is. 500 coo,
provided by the last estimates. 20 e14.eo0,
eea, and the chancellor of the exchequer
had placed the surplus after satisfactory
supplementary estimates had been applied
to these works.
Mr.. Goschen then said that between 1889
and 1895 i05 ships and - torpedo destrovers
had been built or were building. He adj
mIttsd that this was a formidable list but
the admiralty proposed 10 spend an addi-
tonal e1aooelo. including the E200.Oo0 pre-
Vi0usly proposed, as r supplementary esti-
mate for guns and ammunition during the
present year. The admiralty had Judged
it advisable 10 undertake the construct ion
of five additional battleshi9s. four first-class
cruisers. three secOnG-cTass cruisers and
twenty-eight torpedo destroyers. In addi-
ton 20 miner expenses. such as anehoring
a training ship al Queenstown and replac-
ing the cadet ship Britannia by a college
for naval cadets. Reside the vessels men
toned. Mr. Goshen also said the admiralty
proposed 10 provide for six thira-class
cruisers, and all would be commenced in
1896.
Dealing with the battleships. AIR
Goschen said IL was the opinion Of the
admiralty that the range Of action Of the
British ships must not be crippled There
fore the eoal-carrying capacity was of
vital Importance, so as TO enable them 10
remain at sea for the longest period possi-
bic without coaling. and without inter
ferlug with their efficiency In any way.
The increase for the coming year would
be; For men, fS00 coz, shipbuilding. n.S60
0po: ordnance. fs50.o new works $1,000,
other works, 1900; total Of f3.i22.e00.
The total estimates for this year would be
ri So 0}a. Of which sum for new conslruC-
tlon there Was fs.5S5.o) as compared with
E5.393.e .eno The present estimates of the
cost OF the naval defense act was f2l .osfl
0oe while the Spencer programme was 20,
0iO.0a Therefore. from 1859 20 1889. the
expenditure for new construction and
armament totaiei up t55.00.010. The gov
ernment proposed that the estimates this
year should amount 20 E22,eooe0.
Mr. Coscher submitted the estimates. he
said, not in a spirit OF boastful exaggera-
ton or pFovocation. They were the csti-
mates of self-defeuse based upon the spe
cial condition of the country. which did
not apply 10 any other country. They az
piled to the defense OF Great Britain's
scattered possessions. 10 the food supply
OF the British colonies. and 20 the Sc
curiiy Of the shores Of Great Britain.
Foreign countries. he asserted. must not
compare them with the amounts spent
upon tlsir uayies. but with the amounts
they spent on their armies. as the British
navy represented the corps d'armes sta
toned on foreign frontiers, and the large
increase in the strength Of the British
navy need not excite the jealousy of any
country.
In conclusion. Mr. Goschen said
Whether Great Britain Is isolated or not.
whether IN any tremendous strain she
should bear the whole burden alone. or in
general disturbances should take her
place side by side with the powers. the
British people with their feet should rep
resent self-reljance."