Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-31
The Navies Of the World.

nations of the globe are spending on
their navies and the competition be-
tween the European powers as TO
which shall maintain the largest fleets
outside of the British Islands is set
forth in an interesting manner IN the
Annual Book on Naval Progress, Just
completed by the Office of naval intelh-
gence. In extent of construction and
vastness of programme Great Britain
continues 10 lead the world. She has
appropriated for her navy this year
$lO6, 205, 100, which exceeds the ongI-
nal estimates Of the preceding year
BY $l5,OOO,OOO and those of 1894 by
$2l,OOO,OOO.
This enormous increase Is due to the
acceleration Of shipbuilding work IN
hand and to the consequent necessity
for the early delivery Of material and
for the increase of the personnel. This
policy of pushing all work to an early
completion will be vigorously carried
out. So far contract built ships have
surpassed in rapidity of construction
those built at navy-yards, but the force
employed at the nayy-yards has been
increased, and the government Is de-
termined that they shall equal the
private firms in rapidity. Great Brit
aims present programme is by far the
largest in her history. She Is now
building thirteen frst-class battle
ships, ten frst-class cruisers, sixteen
second-class cruisers, seven third-class
cruisers and forty-eight torpedo-boats.
Frances naval development con-
tinues to keep pace with that carried
out bv her during the past three
years. Five years ago she outlined a
programme of new construction cover
ing a period of nine years and to IN
clude pighty-one vessels The eXecu-
ton Of this programme has been IN
terfered with from year to year OWING
to the failure of the French legislative
bodies to make the necessary appro-
priations, but the government has fol-
lowed the yearly programme OF max
inc recommendations for new ships.
The total programme when carried
out will cost the government about
$l7O,OOO,OOO. France this year has
voted total of $46,000,0OO for her
navy, of which 81 100000 is to be ex-
pended on account Of fourteen new
vessels whose total cost will be $l9,-
100000.
Germany naval programme IN
cludes one frst-class battle-ship, five
6rst.class cruisers and large feet OF
torpedo boats to cost $l3,OOO,OOC
when completed. In the next three
months she will lay down, IN addition
to this, three battle-ships, to cost be-
TIVE, FIVE and six million dollars each
and seven cruisers, to cost from 81
100000 to $3,20O.O00 eacn.
The Cars naval programme ha'
been arranged to cover a period o.
seven years and to cost, when carried
ont. the enormous sum of 1921 600,
600. For this year $45,000,0OO II
authorized, which will increase by
yearly increment Of about S4OO,OOC
until, in 1902, it amounts to $4,000,
600. Three new battle-shlps are t
be laid down soon. Five are nov
building, and, in addition there arr
: two protected cruisers and twenty-on'
torpedo boats. 1t is also the intention
: TO build l4,0OO-ton armored vesse
/ at the Baltic works.
Considering the depleted condition
of the Spanish treasury, Spain has II
! contemplation a liberal programm
: for increasing her navy. Notwlth
standing the drain upon her resource
due to the Cuban war, she has author
lied this year the construction Of
D new battle-sbip Of 1000 tons, tw
t gix-thousand ton cruisers, two torped
1 vessels, and large sum Of money t
/ re6t vessels requiring oyerhaulini
9 Shipbuilding in the nayy-yards {
: Spain, the annual states, progesse
very slowly. 1t took from ten
: twelve years to build the cruiser Re-
d ma Mercedes, and another Of the sam
j type, whose keel was laid in 1889,
g still on the ways. The cost Of bullC
e ing in the navy-yards is from thre
;. to four times as great as that of pr
d vate yards.
Japan's scheme for adding to he
J. naval strength is one Of vast ProPol
: tons and is divided into two pre-
: grammes, covering seven years, an
y including, when completed, "a vesse
for the first section and g for the se'
: ond, with total dIsplacements Of oV'
e l17,0O0 tons. The increase IN b
= o,,,, nil Tina he III ehips For