Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-16
DEBATE ON THE FRENCH NAVY
Lockroys Motion for Big Expenditur
Easily Defeated.
CHAMBER STANDS BY THE GOVERNMENT
Impossibility Of EdunIing EnEInnds
Fleet Is recognized, hut GcrmnnS's
Increase is Looked Upon ns nm
Incentive to DO Likewise.

PARIS, Dec. 15.-Thc discussion of the
Chamber of Deputies NJ. ]. De Kerjegu.
the reporter of the budget, representing
Finisterre, said that material progress in
the construction of vessels had been made,
the delays in building them had been re-
duced and the tendency, he added, was in
the direction of building homogeneous
groups in different classes. A general re-
organization, however, was necessary and
the naval committee regretted that in view
Of the increase in the strength of the fleets
of the Dreibund and of England the French
naval votes had been reduced to 100000
francs. 1t was impossible, he continued, to
equal England in the number of ships, but
the French fleet ought to be of special
character to enable ii to defend French
independence and dignity everywhere.
NJ Lockroy. one of the deputies from
the Seine, urged that the whole organiza-
tion OF the army needed reform. and that
the fleet. dock yards and administration
ought each to be under separate control
The minister of marine, Admiral Ber-
nard, replied that the government intended
to increase the number of vessels attached
to the channel squadron If they obtained
the necessary money. The admiral stated
inforce the Mediterranean squadron by sew
eral first-class ironclads and to renew many
of the torpedo boats In conclusion, the
minister of marine pointed to the fact that
the German fleet was being considerably
increased and that in order to prevent
France from falling into inferiority this
government would shortly submit bill
to increase the strength of the navy.
The general discussion of the navy budget
was then closed. NJ. Lockroy's motion that
the government eXpGnd 2OO,00O,oO) ancs, dis
tributed over four years, on the navy, was
opposed by Admiral Bernard and NJ. Meline
the premier, and was rejected by vote
of 335 to 73. During the course of long
speech NJ. Lockroy declared that the govern
ment opposed his motion because 1t emanated
from private member. He did not wish to
provoke a cabinet crisis and would withdraw
his motion ii the government would promise
TO present il as a bill. The government he
added was wrong in reposing faith in the
optimistic reports of it's officials. He main
tanned that the feet was not in effective CON
ditiun, and concluded: Eve are cursed with
the men who declared war in 1870 without
being ready, and | am not willing that some
day it may be said that l was cognzant of
the present condition of the navy and re-
mained silent"
NJ Meline promised to submit the naval
program at the beginning of 1895, and NJ.
Lockroy insisted that the government should
devote part of the money to retitting ships.
The premier said this was already done ac
cording to the needs Of the navy, Thereupon
NJ Lockroy interrupted the speaker and NJ.
Meline retorted, sharply: II shall say moth
ing TO win your confidence. The house knows
that, hidden behind your irsistence. is a po-
ltical question" (Cheers) In conclusion, NJ.
Meline condemned the partial criticisms OF
the navy ana asserted there was danger in
pessimlsm. The vote as already cabled i'm
mediately followed and the house adjourned
for the day.