Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-03
OUTLINE OF NAVAL ESTIMATES.
Five BnttIcships, seven Cruisers and
TMcntN-Eight Smnller Crnft.


LONDON, March 2.-Mr Goschen, first lord
Of the admiralty, presented the naval program
to the House of Commons today. He said
the estimates OF the admiralty were not
proposed with any feeling of alarm, although
he hoped he might be relieved from the
necessity OF dwelling upon the critical ma
ture Of the times. In any case, the first lord
Of the admiralty hoped the estimates pro-
posed would be accepted by the country as
adequate for the occasion The increase
in the number OF ships must necessarily be
followed by expenditure in various directions.
1t meant more armaments, OF course, seamen,
marines. engines and ratings of every kind,
entailing more centers for training, hospitals
and barracks. Continuing, Mr.. Goschen said
1t was not necessary to look far ahead nova
days. ships could be built as rapidly as
guns, officers and men could be prepared
to handle them.
Mr. Goschen said that the admiralty pro-
posed to increase the navy by 4,900 seamen,
etc, and by 500 extra marines. For guns
and ammunition the admiralty proposed a
supplementary estimate of 100000 Isl 000,-
000) for the present year and for the ensuing
fiscal year the admiralty proposed an increase
Of 1850, 900. The admiralty also proposed an
increase of f1 ,250, 900 for docks and explained
that the proposed dock work would Increase
the amount of $4,000 900, provided by the last
estimates, to f14,0OO, 900, 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 1896, 105 ships and siXty-two torpedo
destroyers had been built or were building.
He admitted this was formidable list, but
the admiralty proposed to spend an additional
Fl 100000, including the 100000 previously
proposed as a supplementary estimate for
guns and ammunition during the present
year. The admiralty had judged 1t advisable
to undertake the construction of five addi-
tonal battleshps, four first class cruisers,
three second class cruisers and twenty eight
torpedo destrOyers, in addition to minor ex-
penses such as anchoring training ship at
Queenstown and replacing the cadet ship
Britannia by college for naval cadets. Be
sides the vessels mentioned, MIR. Goschen
also said the admiralty proposed to pro-
vide six third class cruisers, and all would be
commenced in 1896.
Dealing with the battleships, Mr.. Goschen
said 1t was the opinion of the admiralty that
the range of action of the British ships must
not be crippled. Therefore the coal carrying
capacity was of vital Importance, so as to
enable them to remain at sea for the longest
period possible without coaling and without
interfering with their efficiency in any way
The increase for the coming year would be,
for men, 1900, 900: ship building, 1880 900;
ordnance, fS30,000; new works, go, 000 other
works, S42 900, a total of So. 122 600. The
total estimates for this year would be f21,-
500 900, of which sum for new construction
there was f72S5,000. as compared with f5,-
1893 900 last year The present estimates and
the cost of the naval defense act was f21,-
600 900, while the Spencer program was f29-
100000. Therefore, from 1889 to 1899 the
expenditure for new construction and arrna-
ment totalled up f55, 900. The govern
ment proposed that the estimates this year
should amount to $22. 900. 900.
Mr.. Goschen submitted the estimates. he
said, not in spirit of boastfu exaggeration
or provocation. They were the estimates of
self defense based upon the special conditions
of the country which did not apply TO any
other country. They applied to the defense
of Great Brtain's scattered possessions, to
the food supply of the British colonies and to
the security of the shipping of the nation.
Foreign countries, he asserted, must not
compare them with the amounts spent upon
their navies but with the amounts they
spent on their armies, the British navy
represented the corps d'armees stationed
on foreign frontiers and the large increase
in the strength of the British navy need not
excite jealousy of any foreign country.
In conclusion, Mr.. Goechen said Whether
Great Britain, in any tremendous strain,
should bear the whole burden alone or in
gene: al disturbances should take her place
side by side with the powers, the British
people with their fleet should represent self
reliance"