The evening times., 1896-12-15
VAST ST Ms FoR wARsHIPs.
Great Britain IL the Most i'rodiGai
OF All the Nations.

The vast sums OF money that the nations
| of the globe are spending on their navies aud
the competition betw cen the European
powers as TO which shall MAINTAIN the
largest fleets outside OF the British Islands
Is set forth n an Interesting manner IN the
4 nnual Book on Naval Progress, just com
pIeted by the office Of naval intelligence.
In extent or construction and vastness of
program. Great Britain continues TO lead
tle world She has appropriated Tor her
navy this year SlO6, 2U5 100, which exceeds
ue original estimates OF the preceding
year by SlJ,Ouo,0 600, and those OF 1854
by S2I ,UGO 900.
This enormous increase is due to the ac-
ceIeration Of ShipbuIlding woTkIn hand ana
10 the consequent necessity Tor tue early uc-
livery OF ma erial ami for the einCreaSe OF the
personnel. This polcy OF pusiilne an MoIh IN
10 an early completion Will be vigorously
carried out.
SO far contract built ships have surpassed
In rapidity or construction those built at
navy yards but the force employed at the
navy yards has beenincrease1, and the gov
eminent Is determined thatthey shail equal
rlIe private firms In rapldity-
Great Butain's present naval program is
by far the argeStin her history Shells now
louiidinC thirteen first-class batleships; ten
n irSt-cIaSs cruisers. sixteen second-class
cruisers. seven third-ClasS cruisers and
rorty-eight torpedo boats.
Frances naval development continues TO
keep pace with that carried out by her dur
ing the past three years: Five years ago
size outlined a program OF new construction
covering II period of nine years, and TO In
clude eighty-one vessels.
Tine IotIt program wiIen carried out VIII
cost the government about SlIO,oOO ,OUO.
t'ranc,. tins year has voted a total OF $40
900 is to be expended on account OF four
teen new vessels, whose total cost VIII be
$4,000 900
tiermany's naval program includes one
nrst-cass battleships, five first-c ass crlls-
ers, and a large fleet OF torpedo boats, to
cost $4,000 600 when completed In the
next three months she Will lay down, IN
! addition TO this, three battleships to cost
between five and six million dollars each,
and seven cruisers, To cost from 81 500 900
to $500 900 each.
Tile ears naval program has been ar
ranged to cover period OF seven years and
To cost whencIrrledout. the enormous sum
OF 1921 100000; For this year S45, 900
900 is authorized, which will increase by a
yearly increment OF 100000. until, in
1902, il amounts to SAT 100000.
Three new battieshlps are @ to be iaid
in addition, there are two protected cruis-
crs and twenty-one torpedo boats. II is
also the intention to build 4.OOo-ton ar
mored vessel at the Baltic works.
Considering the depleted condition OF the
Spanish treasury, Spain has in contemp!a-
ton liberal program for increasing her
navy. Notwithstanding the drain upon her
resources due to the Cuban war, she has
authorized this year the construction Of a
new battleship of l 900 tons, two 6 900
ton cruisers, two torpedo vessels, and
large sum of money 10 refit vessels requir-
ing overhauling.
Shipbuilding n the navy yards of Spain,
the Annual states, progresses very slowly.
It took from ten to twelve years to build
the cruiser Reina Mercedes, and another of
the same type, whose Ike el was laidin $50,
is still on the ways. The cost of building
In the navy yards is from three to four
times as great as that of private yards.
Japan's scheme for adding to her naval
strength is one OF vast proportions and is
divided into two programs, covering seven
years. and including, when completed, fifty
four vessels for the first section a nd sixty
three for the second, with total displace-
ments OF over III 900 tons. The increase
In her navy will thus be / II ships. Four
battleships are soon to be authorized abroad
and three begun at home. a large number
or armored ships are also to be built and
many small cruisers, some of which are cX-
pected to be awarded to this country.