The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-02
NAVAL PROGRESS ABROAD.
NEW WARsHIPs PLANNED BIZ MoST
Oh TIL NATIONS.

q AhNhN NItNEt W
Fleets 10 Her Possible Encmies-The New
Vessels Under Construction
WASHINGTON, May 1.-Reports on the naval
development Of all the leading powers of the
world have boon received re,ently by the Sec
rotary Of the Navy under instructions to naval
representatives and legations abroad. They In
dicato a decided forward policy with all the
great powers, and there seems TO be no purpose
70 reduce the expenses. While no comparisons
between tho naval strength OF the United
States and Of the European countries have been
made. II is apparent from the reports that Ger
many Is little " any ahead OF the United States
in the size or power Of her fleets. Italy and
Russia continue 10 outrank the United States,
but with tho battle ships now building at the
Cramps, Newport News. ard San Francisco,
Russia will soon lose the lead. France and
Great Britain continue to oxpend millions Of
dollars annually In new construction, while
the other powers. with the exception OF Italy,
ara also making strides in the same direction.
Tho South American republics are spending
money on their navies as fast as their depleted
treasures will permit, While China OK presses
o determination to mako ready to redeem the
defeat of the Yalu. The tendency among all
nations Is shown to be toward reduced nalibre
Of guns. whereas the United States are still
maintaining that 13-inch guns are the best for
the heaviest battle ships. Wire-round guns
are displacinS tho built-up type, especially in
England. and the rapid-iro batteries on all
ships building are to BIO increased greatly over
those carried by ships Of similar class in ser
vice. Speed Is yet deemed, the reports stats,
to DO an important factor, not only in the tor
pedo class. but also in the battle ship type, and
some of tic trials lately made abroad indicate
that it Is not impossible for the heaviest Of
haff1n shipa IN m IN min for fyn h0ura n Sppel
OF nearly eighteen knots an hour. This three
years ago was not thought possible, and here
tofore fow II any bat lie ships have ever got be-
yond the eventeen-kno limit. Heavy mill
tary: masts carrying rapid-ire guns have been
found in many instances to be a serious draw
back to the stability Of vessels and have caused
dangerous rolling and topheaviness. These
on several of tho French ships, notably the
Jean Bart. are to be removed and pole masts
substituted. Sail power the reports state.
Is no longer considered as o means Of propul-
sion for warships. Not even small cruisers
The programmes completed this spring for
carrying on construction work are In most
ceding years. Two budgets for 1877 have been
presented to the French National Assembly by
The ,l;,n Minister lin list Of Of M MAJ Sr.t the Sec second do after s the
s!ruction is s4s,sos, SIS. Which is smaller
lLdh tuO uIlOuhI NOtSu u any tuE slllCO
1902; but at the same time It is stated by the
reports that o powerful, weli-organized . navy
now. A comparison is made Of, the fleets of
Frances possible enemies in the Mediterranean
and north seas and her own Mediterranean
80 separated geog raphically as to be out of
supporting distance of zach other, at least dur
parsons the French fleets do not show up very
well. Tables showing the total tonnage I'M
dor construction by the principal, European
N u nm Not I InQf nfuA fhA Htn NM
10000 tons. while France has but 1870 900,
Russia $4,000 tons. and England $4,000,
to demonstrate that France has not the fleet
that her policy REQUIRES or one which would
permit e., heF ,t to sustain Nth adys9tage a con:
regulation of difficulties that might DO en-
eendered between England and France.
commended now that her ships must be fast,
but with speeds, also, that survive trials and
can be counted ted upon IN service, And that she
Frances new construction will embrace many
large shipe Of the battle ship class and all OF
Is the Henry ". Of the modified monitor
type. 1854 feet long. 72 feet beam, and 90 feet
sinasaa .p wssa Of 1i, p ln nSaso P sSo wifi aq Be armed an Ssi
q. her c Class, besides torpedo sus ssAI and nsf a sf Tor.
Gauiois of 1l.260 tons. and sister to the Char
lemaene, and st. Louis, is under construction,
Three cruisers Of a modified beseartes type
and three smaller ships are also included in
l peso n Scat P:off ,he Best sesiaei .2 2 ealf-d0zsn tor
Germany's- programme for new construc-
tion is less elaborate than last year, NOT with
advance the Importance and exten: Of his ma.
val establishment Appropriations will be
cruisers. one 0t torpedo division Shsp 'G boat seG and eirSs
torpedo boats. Aside from these. Germany
will not attempt the construction or further
Great Britain's programme shows a steady
purpose to maintain her reputation OF having
powers combined. She is now building four
frst-class cruisers having the great length of
435 feet. with an extreme beam of 80 feet.
1000 tons displacement. and 5000 horse
power; and they are expected to develop over
go knots an hour, Their armament viii con-
three. 3. Founders. eight Maxims. and three tor,
Dedo tubes. These vessels are to be sheathed
with teak. Besides. she has building. under
of the improved Talbot, with indicated horse
power Of 10000 and a displacement OF 5000
less than 90 knots an hour.
hussis,s naval programme is far more elab.
building an armored crSiser Of II 200 900 0t toDe ef
81 ,h s., SsPs %s]Ii ADMIRAL Mira y : a. S ,sSi : sh ,s,,s =
class cruiser of the Diana class Of $3.50 tons.
and a number Of torpedo boats. These ships
!There Is now unde1 construction an MI" IMPERIAL sdai
yacht "a which on. on a trial end recently developed
S1.lS Knots with 10000 horse power. This
vessel will be ready for the Cars use In the
carly summer.
In formation TO the department from Spain
states that the Government is bringing for
ward its ships as rapidly as possible. This is
particularly noticeable in the Cristobal Colon.
being carried on night and day. 1900 men
being employed. The reports show that Span
fish subjects residing abroad are yet contribut-
ing money for making additions to the navy,
and tho Spanish colony at Buenos Ayres alone
has contributed $500, 900 for building a vessel
mined upon. The admiralty now has under
advisement plans for the construction of a
IL .000-ton battle ship and a 6.50O-ton cruiser.
Argentina is making rapid progress in increas-
Ing her naval establishment. One of the best
ships now building for tho Government is the
jose Garibaldi. an armored 7,000-ton cruiser of
1S 1000 horse power and a speed OF 81 knots.
preparing for her voyage. and will soon take her
place with the fleet. The cost of the guns and
ammunition alone for this vessel Is $500. 900 in
gold. Brazil has recently authorized the build.
Ing OF a 3.20O.ton coast defence vessel. with a
length OF $50 feet and n speed Of 20 knots. The
steaming radius of this ship will be 5000 miles.
U China's naval programme the report states
that she proposes TO make an earnest cndeavor
TO reconstruct her navy and assume her former
rank as u naval power. The bay on the south
side Df the Shant1nn prounpnt nrrr Iu To b.J roIna